E-Scooters, Other Micro-Mobility Vehicles Banned, Says Transport Ministry
The rules are enforced to prevent a similar case like the basikal lajak tragedy.
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The Ministry of Transport has decided that the use of some micro-mobility vehicles is prohibited from the road, which is gazetted under Road Traffic Rules 2021 (Prohibition of Use of Certain Micromobility Vehicles) which have been effective since 17 December 2021.
Micro-mobility vehicles that are prohibited from the road are:
- Moped
- Personal mobility devices including electric scooters, internal combustion engine power or human power.
- Personal mobility aids (PMA)
The reasoning behind this is the use of micro-mobility vehicles in a traffic flow that involves other motor vehicles will create a risk of a case similar to the basikal lajak tragedy that claimed the lives of eight children.
SIARAN MEDIA
— M.O.T Malaysia (@MOTMalaysia) April 26, 2022
MENTERI PENGANGKUTAN MALAYSIA
LARANGAN PENGGUNAAN KENDERAAN MIKROMOBILITI TERTENTU DI ATAS JALAN pic.twitter.com/TxxsEo63MT
Although bicycles are not prohibited from the road, cyclists must abide by the regulations under the 1987 Road Transport Act (Act 333) and under the 1959 Road Traffic Rules.
The safe use of bicycles guideline has been issued by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and can be downloaded through the Ministry of Transport and MIROS websites.
To use electric bicycles on the road, it must fulfil the Malaysia Standard specifics, MS2514: Electric Bicycles (Electric Pedal Assisted Bicycles) Specification.
In addition, the main characteristic of electric bicycles (to differentiate it from a moped) is the lack of throttle and pedals that are permanently attached to the vehicle.
All relevant authorities are urged to monitor the use of micro-mobility vehicles in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
The local authorities may construct road infrastructure to support the safe use of micro-mobility vehicles like bicycle lanes that will not be mixed with existing traffic flow.
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the police will start enforcing this prohibition in the name of public safety.
Those found guilty can be prosecuted under the 1987 Road Transport Act (Act 333).
Have there been accidents involving micro-mobility vehicles?
So far, users of micro-mobility vehicles seemingly have not caused road accidents with other road users.
However, the haphazard behaviours of some micro-mobility vehicle users on the road have brought up concerns about road safety for pedestrians and other road users.
READ MORE: E-Scooters & E-Bikes May Be Banned On Roads & You Might Soon Need A License To Ride Them
Back in March 2022, a woman shattered her jaw when she fell off the e-scooter in Cyberjaya after making a fast turn.
After her ordeal, she advised others to be careful and to wear safety gear just to be safe.
READ MORE: [Watch] Malaysian Woman Shatters Her Jaw After Cyberjaya E-Scooter Accident
How are netizens responding?
The enforced rules did not sit well with netizens. Some believe that the rules will affect food delivery riders who travel using scooters.
The Ministry of Transport was also criticised for banning micro-mobility vehicles on the road. Netizens also brought up how other countries built bicycle lanes to accommodate similar light vehicles.
Others wondered why micro-mobility vehicles have been lumped together with basikal lajak (modified bicycles) when the modified bicycles do not have lights and brakes.
They believe small vehicle owners are being bullied while road bullies in pickup trucks, lorries and buses are overlooked.
Another netizen agreed that micro-mobility vehicles can be dangerous on the road but also disagreed with an outright ban.
He believes having proper lanes for micro-mobility vehicles will be a better decision in the long run and it saves more cost than building another public transport.
Apa kebabi kau ni MOT? Abis tu rider foodpanda ataupun grabfood yang buat delivery dengan guna scooter nak hantar makanan macam mana sundal? Takkan dorang nak kena beli motosikal pulak? Korang yang buat rules ni guna otak ke guna lutut?
— Aiman (@mistaaimanvevo) April 26, 2022
Negara maju wujudkan laluan khas untuk basikal, kenderaan mikro. Malaysia haramkan semua terus, hasil ilham menteri tak berapa bijak @weekasiongmp 🤦🏻♀️
— dice 🎲 (@zir3ael) April 26, 2022
Kenapa samakan dengan basikal lajak yang tak ada lampu dan tak ada brek?
— Corperutathlete (@mohdadrian) April 26, 2022
This is bullying the small vehicle owners, while ignoring the road bullies like 4WD pickup, lori hantu, monster trucks & busses.
— Abd Rahman AGaffoor (@ARGaffoor) April 26, 2022
Unpopular Opinion.
— Azhazul Azri (@zulazrio) April 26, 2022
Saya menyokong pengharaman kenderaan ini atas jalanraya atas faktor keselamatan amatlah membimbangkan. Terlalu kecil, lincah, dan visibility rendah.
Pun begitu kerajaan tak boleh simply haramkan, tanpa tindakan proaktif untuk membina infra bersesuaian.
(1/3) https://t.co/sFxfffIvWD
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