E-SCOOTERS and battery-operated electric bikes have become very popular of late among Malaysians. We often see the young and old ride them in parks or at housing areas during their leisure time.
However, the time has come for the government to come up with rules to ensure the safety of pedestrians and riders. The main danger comes from the fact that these machines are silent, unlike motorcycles and other vehicles.
One often comes across these vehicles whizzing past fast from behind, startling and traumatising pedestrians. A pedestrian can be hit from behind if the e-scooter veers a little bit, resulting in a horrific accident.
Children and senior citizens are at particular risk. Rules must be enforced, such as riders must ring a bell or sound a horn, like bicycles or motorcycles, when they pass near pedestrians or other vehicles. More and more of these modes of travel are being used by students and residents in housing estates and villages to go to schools, markets and shopping areas.
Therefore it’s for the Transport Ministry to provide basic rules by regulating them. In case of accidents leading to injury or death, many issues will come into play. It is time for the Transport Ministry to proactively come up with rules, like in Singapore, before these vehicles become a serious menace to pedestrians.
V. THOMAS
Sg Buloh, Selangor