The National Parks Board (NParks) is advising users of personal mobility devices (PMDs) not to ride on the grass turf as it constitutes as an offence under the Parks and Trees Act.

Offenders can be fined up to S$5,000 if convicted.

The use of PMDs on such surfaces will damage the turf and lead to soil erosion.

There is also a safety concern for PMD users due to the uneven ground.

NParks’ comments to Mothership came after people in Singapore have been posting videos showing them circumventing the ban on PMD on footpaths by riding on the grass beside pavements.

Those who do not comply with the footpath ban can be fined up to S$2,000, jailed up to three months, or both.

Warnings issued

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) issued more than 100 warnings to errant PMD users as of 5pm on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

This was the first day a ban on e-scooters from footpaths took effect.

An “advisory period” extends from now until the end of the year.

Those caught will receive warnings instead of more punitive punishments.

LTA had said that a similar ban on all other PMDs, including hoverboards, will be progressively implemented by the first quarter of 2020.

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