Offences for misuse of 'lookalike' PMAs increased by over 5 times in 2024: LTA

Offences involving the misuse of mobility devices that look like Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) increased by more than five times in 2024, according to Land Transport Authority (LTA) statistics.

LTA told Mothership that in 2024, there were 38 offences involving PMA lookalikes, up from six in 2023.

LTA said that the most frequent offences recorded in 2024 included riding non-compliant devices and riding a PMA lookalike device on a footpath.

What's a PMA lookalike?

Under the Active Mobility Act, PMAs, including motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, are designed to carry an individual who is unable to walk or has walking difficulties.

PMAs are only allowed to be used on cycling paths and footpaths in Singapore.

By law, PMAs are required to have only one seat for the individual, with the device restricted to a maximum speed of 10km/h.

Lookalike devices, classified as Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), include e-scooters and other motorised devices with more than one seat and a maximum speed limit of 25 km/h.

In some cases, as many as five people have been spotted riding pillion.

By law, PMDs can't be used on roads or pedestrian footpaths in Singaporee.

Examples of non-compliant devices

Examples of non-compliant and lookalike devices were shared to LTA's Facebook page on Feb. 20.

LTA added that in 2024, three PMA users were caught speeding, and riding a non-compliant PMA with a maximum speed exceeding 10km/h.

No such offences were detected in 2023.

In 2024, there were 12 cases where PMAs were detected riding on roads, up from four cases in 2023.

New PMA regulations by end 2025

In March 2024, the Singapore government accepted an advisory panel's recommendations to address the misuse of PMAs in Singapore, especially by seemingly able-bodied individuals.

Stricter regulations will be imposed, including restricting the use of mobility scooters to users certified with relevant medical needs or walking difficulties.

The speed limit of motorised PMAs will also be reduced from 10km/h to 6 km/h, and all PMAs used on public paths must adhere to the same dimensions as what is allowed on public transport.

The regulations are set to kick in by around end-2025, according to LTA's Feb. 20 post.

From January to August 2024, LTA took 10 errant PMA riders to task and impounded four PMAs.

Four PMA users faced similar enforcement actions in 2023.

LTA said in its post that it will continue to take action against errant users using non-compliant devices.

Those who are found guilty may be fined up to S$10,000, jailed up to six months, or both.

Top image from LTA/Facebook