LTA: Rules and code of Conduct in Active Mobility Act

Land Transport Authority shared details of the Active Mobility Act (AMA), which contains a set of rules and code of conduct for cyclists, and riders of personal mobility devices (PMDs) and power-assisted bicycles (PABs), providing LTA with legislative and enforcement powers to regulate the use of bicycles, PMDs and PABs on public paths, as well as the sale of these devices.

In a press release, LTA stated that all vehicles are allowed to ride on shared paths. However, Power-Assisted Bicycles (PABs) are not allowed to ride on the footpaths. While, Personal Mobility Device (PMD) and Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) are not allowed to ride on roads.

PABs' riders may be fined for $2,000, get six months jail terms, and may get the device seized for riding on footpaths. While, PMDs' users may be fined for $5,000, get six months jail terms, and the device will be seized for riding on roads.

LTA obliged all riders who ride on paths to keep within the speed limits, dismount and walk their device when they see 'No Riding' signs, switch on front white legs, and rear red lights in the dark, and offer help and provide particulars if you are involved in an accident, and not ride recklessly on paths.

The maximum penalty for breaking the rules varies between $2,000 fine and/or six months jail terms to $5,000 fine and/or two years jail terms.

It also urges all riders to give ways to pedestrians, slow down when approaching bus stops, walk the device in crowded areas, stop and look out for traffic at crossings and cross only when it is safe, gently alert others before overtaking, keep left on paths, ride on shared paths when available,and park at designated areas.

LTA also obliged all riders who ride on roads to follow traffic signals when cycling on the road, travel in the same direction as the flow of traffic, switch on front white lights and rear red lights in the dark, and cycle in a single file on single-lane roads and during bus lane operational hours. Other wise, cycling two abreast is allowed.

The maximum penalty for breaking the rules is $2,000 fine and/or six months jail terms.

LTA noted that riders can only use the devices that do not exceed 20 kilograms of weight to reduce the risk of serious injuries in cases of collision, 70 centimeters of width to allow devices to cross each other safely, and have maximum speed of 25 kilometres/hour to ensure users to not exceed the speed limit.

The authority noted that all PABs must be sealed with LTA approval seal, registered and fixed with a registration plate. Riders who do not obliged with the rules will get up to $10,000 fine and six months imprisonment.

LTA also announced that key regulations under the AMA to govern retailers on the sale, advertisement and modification of non-compliant devices, which include:

·         Mandatory requirement to put up warning notices
·         No displaying and advertising of non-compliant devices
·         No selling of PMDs for use on roads
·         No selling of non-compliant devices for use on public paths
·         No altering or modifying of devices to render them non-compliant

Penalties for offences vary, with maximum fine not exceeding $5,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both, for the first offence.

This entry was posted in Transport.

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