Good news has come for pedestrians like you and me.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan told Parliament yesterday (Jan. 9) that there are more than 600 volunteers and 16 enforcement officers from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) involved in guarding against errant cyclists and users of personal mobility devices (known by many as "e-bikes" or PMDs).

LTA is also looking at using other methods such as CCTV cameras to deter offenders.

E-bikes' accidents on the rise

In March last year, Khaw said that the number of power-assisted bike accidents increased from six in 2013 to 27 in 2015, five of which were fatal.

Hence, a new law will be proposed soon

The new law, known as the Active Mobility Bill, was introduced by Khaw last November to clamp down on errant users of PMDs, electric scooters and hoverboards.

According to Parliament's order paper, the Bill is likely to be debated by Members this week.

If passed into law, it will bring about harsher penalties for those failing to comply with how and where such e-devices are used and also penalise sellers of non-compliant e-bikes.

Proposed penalties under Active Mobility Bill:

Riding recklessly

Fine up to $5,000, jail up to 6 months, or both

Not stopping to offer assistance to victim and reporting the accident

Fine up to $3,000, jail up to 12 months, or both

Display of non-compliant bicycles and PMDs for businesses

Fine up to $1,000, jail up to 3 months, or both

Sale of non-compliant bicycles and PMDs for use on public paths

Fine up to $5,000, jail up to 3 months, or both

Alteration of bicycles or PMDs that renders them non-compliant

Fine up to $5,000, jail up to 3 months, or both

Other offences within the Act

Fine up to $1,000, jail up to 3 months, or both

Top photo from Land Transport Authority Facebook page.