In a Facebook post by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Sep. 27, the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) issued its latest set of recommendations to the government, including mandating PMD riders take a theory test and setting the minimum riding age to 16 years old.

Saddened by Madam Ong's death

In the post, head of the panel Faishal Ibrahim wrote: "My Active Mobility Advisory Panel members and I were deeply saddened to hear news about the passing of Madam Ong Bee Eng, after a reckless e-scooter rider on a non-compliant device collided into her on a shared cycling path."

He added that the tragic incident urged AMAP to implement recommendations and enforcement in order to "create a safe riding culture".

Other recommendations

Besides making it compulsory for riders to be at least 16 years old and pass a theory test, four other suggestions were provided by AMAP.

• Businesses must purchase third-party liability insurance to cover e-scooter riders who are riding in the course of work.

• The government should work with the industry to develop more comprehensive and affordable third-party liability insurance products.

• E-scooter riders will not be allowed to use mobile phone while riding, unless the phone is mounted or used in a hands-free manner.

• For pedestrians, the panel is introducing a "Code of Conduct" to guide them on how to share paths safely with others.

Ministry of Transport reviews recommendations

Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min said in a Facebook post that the Ministry of Transport has received the latest recommendations.

He wrote: "We (Ministry of Transport) will study these recommendations and provide our response in due course."

Calls from the public

AMAP's move came in light of petitions being made calling for a ban on PMDs.

A five-month-old petition has already garnered over 47,000 signatures as of Sep. 27 afternoon.

Top photo by Joshua Lee.