Debated in Parliament on 4 Oct 2023.
Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Transport (a) how many e-bike models have been approved to date and of these how many are additional new models that have been approved since January 2023; (b) in the past three years, how many e-bikes have been registered; (c) how many e-bikes are detected to be illegal; (d) how many riders are caught for not riding at approved places; and (e) how many accidents have been recorded.
As of 31 August 2023, 66 power-assisted bicycle (PAB) models have been approved, of which 17 were approved since January 2023. Between 2020 and 2022, about 26,300 PABs were registered with the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
In the same period, 3,000 non-compliant or unregistered PABs were detected; 10,900 riders were caught riding PABs on pedestrian-only paths, footpaths and expressways, on which PABs are disallowed; and there were 380 accidents involving PABs on roads and 50 off-road accidents recorded.
Mr Ang Wei Neng.
Mr Ang Wei Neng (West Coast): Speaker, I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the comprehensive reply. With the Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) rising month after month and breaking records, more Singaporeans, understandably, will turn to e-bikes for their mobility solutions. So, would the Ministry of Transport (MOT) consider working with the e-bike suppliers to broaden the models available for Singaporeans to choose?
Two, what are MOT's plans to discourage and deter more illegal e-bikes to be used on the road? There are many e-bike fire incidents in different parts of Singapore, including in the Nanyang area.
Thirdly, what are MOT's plans to build more pathways and cycling paths to enable e-bike riders to ride safely on the pavement, rather than on the road? We understand that MOT has announced some plans to build cycling paths, but we are asking MOT whether it can intensify and accelerate the progress.
Sir, since 2016, we have already approved 66 PAB models. In fact, the numbers have been increasing, especially in recent years. Just this year, in the first eight months, we have approved 17 PAB models.
As the demand grows, the retailers would be incentivised to import more models – models that are certified to be safe for use on paths and roads.
As to ensuring that riders ride safely and properly on approved paths, public education and enforcement are carried out. For the offences that have been detected, the culprits were fined accordingly. We hope this will give the signal to riders to understand the law, abide by the law and, most importantly, look out for other users, whether on the path or on the road.
PABs are allowed on the roads, as well as on cycling paths. Yes, some riders would find it safer to be on cycling paths. That is why we are aggressively rolling out the islandwide cycling network. Currently, we are at over 500 kilometres. The plan is to build 1,300 kilometres by 2030.
We have just recently called a tender to construct cycling paths in the western region and that includes the Member's Nanyang area. The first phase of the cycling paths will be progressively completed from 2024 and there are plans to roll out subsequent phases in the coming years.
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