The Jakarta Transportation Agency has announced the ban of e-scooters on roads, pavements, and pedestrian bridges, according to The Jakarta Post on Nov. 15, 2019.

The decision to restrict the use of e-scooters in the capital of Indonesia came after a fatal accident that happened earlier in the week on Nov. 11.

Two 18-year-old Grabwheels e-scooter riders died after getting hit by a car that morning.

Four other riders also sustained injuries from the accident.

E-scooters only allowed on bike lanes in Jakarta

According to the agency's head Syafrin Liputo, the use of e-scooters will strictly be allowed on bicycle lanes only.

He added that users will have to carry their e-scooters when crossing the pedestrian bridges.

Safety concerns

He also explained that the use of e-scooters has to be well regulated, and that the safety and comfort of pedestrians are key.

“We have talked with the operator of the e-scooters and we agreed in order to guarantee the safety and comfort of pedestrians, we will allow more room for them by prohibiting e-scooters from running on sidewalks and pedestrian bridges.”

The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) supports the agency's decision to draft regulations on e-scooters licensing, tariffs, and insurance.

YLKI chairman, Tulus Abadi, believes that accidents can be prevented if there are clear-cut safety instructions, such as the Dos and Don'ts which are currently lacking.

Any users caught violating the rights of pedestrians may face up a jail term of up to two months and a fine of up to Rp 500,000 fine (S$48.45) under the Traffic Law.

Besides safety concerns, pedestrian bridges have also suffered damages from the use of e-scooters as they were built for walking only, according to the Jakarta Bina Marga Road Agency.

Here are some images shared on the road agency's Instagram:

Jakarta is the latest city to impose a ban on the use of e-scooters on pedestrian walkways.

Earlier this month, Singapore has also imposed a ban on e-scooters, also known as personal mobility devices (PMDs), on Nov. 5, 2019.

Top photo via Tiffany Chloe Christian/Facebook and Family Goers/Facebook