#LetScootersOnRoads

Singapore has an opportunity to lead the world in creating smart mobility solutions for citizens. Progressive initiatives such as Walk-Cycle-Ride 2040 Transport Master Plan along with a reasonable framework for PMDs can cement Singapore’s reputation as an innovative and progressive city that also cares about safety.

Smart to ban escooters on footpaths

The announcement by Minister Lam Pin Min on banning Personal Mobility Device (PMD) use from footpaths is an understandable response to public safety concerns. Ensuring that pedestrians are able to walk in a safe environment must be at the top of any government decision on footpaths - and Beam is fully supportive of a ban of escooters on footpaths in Singapore.

In fact, the ban of escooters from footpaths follows in the footsteps of some of the cities with the most PMD usage in the world, including Paris, Berlin, and Los Angeles.. Instead, scooters have grown in popularity because they are required to be ridden the same way as bicycles - on roads and cycling paths! This gives the best of both worlds - safe footpaths for pedestrians, and convenient usage of PMDs on existing infrastructure.

Not enough cycling infrastructure

In places without sufficient footpath space to support escooter riding, we think it is the smart and safe choice to segregate PMDs from footpaths. However, without allowing scooters on the streets, 100k+ Singaporeans who use PMDs to get around Singapore are suddenly left with significantly reduced mobility options, because there are not enough cycling paths in Singapore. There are only 440km of cycling paths in Singapore, compared to 9,081 km of roads. The LTA has committed to increase the length of cycling paths to only 1,000km by 2040 - that is not enough as a viable transport option.

If you consider the explosive popularity of PMDs as a mobility solution, climbing up to 100k PMDs in just a few years - and compare to a total of only 600k cars in Singapore, it is clear that PMDs are a valuable mode of transport for Singaporeans. Not only is popularity growing fast, but PMDs are actually safer than cars. The 100,000 PMDs in Singapore were involved in 228 road accidents in the last year. For motor vehicles, that number is over 10,000 in 2018 alone.

Removing 100k mobility devices from circulation overnight is no small number. How will people get around in an affordable way, while still achieving the LTA’s goal of “45 minute city and 20 minute towns”?

Cities like New York City and Paris have committed billions of dollars of investment to improve mobility infrastructure such as protected bike lanes as these cities recognise the importance of PMDs for improving the amenities of modern cities. We understand that building infrastructure takes time - and therefore for streets with no bicycle lanes, PMDs are allowed to ride on the streets. 

Similar regulations have already been adapted in major cities around the world including: Los Angeles, Berlin, Montreal, Washington D.C., Paris, and Barcelona.

Technology makes Shared Mobility Devices (SMDs) even safer

Beam is currently operating in 5 other countries across Asia, including Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Taiwan, and we have built a suite of custom technologies to help SMDs become a viable form of transport while optimizing for safety.

• Automatically enforced speed limits: Each Beam vehicle is connected to an IOT device that allows us to remotely specify the speed of the vehicle. We can also define different zones of the city such as “low speed zones” or even “no ride zones.” We use this technology extensively in our Australia operations where we put “no ride zones” in dense pedestrian traffic locations. In areas of low pedestrian traffic or having large sidewalks, we relax the speed limit.
• Highest vehicle safety standards: Beam vehicles are compliant with the highest global quality and safety standards, including the important UL2272 fire safety standard. We also conduct regular maintenance on all of our vehicles, ensuring that every time a vehicle is deployed to the street it is fully tested.
• Beam Safety Academy: A big part of safe SMD usage is the training + education on how to safely ride SMDs. Every Beam user who signs up is required to undergo in app training on safe riding techniques and procedures.  

We encourage the Singaporean government to continue to be a thought leader in the mobility space and provide strong public amenity for the citizens of Singapore.  

Our recommendations for Singapore are:

• Maintain the ban of escooters on footpaths.
• Increase the LTA's commitment of 1,000km of protected bike lanes by 2040 up to 5,000 km of protected bike lanes in Singapore by 2040
• Allow escooters to travel on the roads where protected bicycle lanes have not yet been built.
• Enforce strict speed caps of 25kmph on bicycle paths.
• Require escooter riders to undergo safe riding training before riding an escooter
• PMD riders should undergo this course online after purchasing a scooter
• SMD riders should take the course upon signing up with the Beam app.

Moving forward, Beam remains optimistic that Singapore will be committed to reducing car usage and encouraging use of eco-friendly vehicles. We will be announcing a launch of our Beam-Share service in Singapore soon, which will be for use strictly on PCN and Shared Paths, in compliance with existing regulations. In addition, in 2020 we will explore alternative vehicle types to help Singaporeans move around more effectively without cars!