PMDs Take the Fast Lane in Singapore
In a scene straight out of a high‑speed movie, a teenage rider hopped off a personal mobility device (PMD) and zipped past a cruiser on Singapore’s Bukit Timah Seven‑Mile flyover. The footage, shared across social media, shows the young rider sporting a GrabFood backpack, flashing a quick grin at the motorcycle’s pillion before accelerating away.
That’s not the first time roads have turned into a racing ground for PMDs. Below, the key points that make the whole affair a legal no‑go.
Speedy Misery: Why This is a Big Deal
- Motorised PMDs, like e‑scooters, are capped at 25 km/h on any road. The clip shows the rider riding at about 70 km/h.
- No helmet? That’s another violation on top of the speed limit.
- Such illicit modifications can ramp up penalties to the tune of $20,000 or even 24 months in prison.
Past Incidents: The Pattern Keeps Repeating
Last year, a police crackdown caught 10 teenagers between 16 and 25 riding PMDs and e‑bikes with reckless abandon on Sheares Avenue. Four months later, an e‑scooter shop owner was jailed for allegedly shooting 135 km/h on Lim Chu Kang road with a non‑compliant PMD.
The Four‑String Law: What the Authorities Say
Under the Active Mobility Act (AMA), cyclist‑only paths are the only places PMDs are allowed to cruise, and even there a 25 km/h limit applies. All devices must be UL2272‑certified and registered with the Land Transport Authority.
If you get caught speeding on the road, you face:
- Up to 3 months in jail
- Up to $2,000 fine
- Or both. Repeat offenders can be up to 6 months and $5,000 fine.
Video Footage
Ready to Stay in the Black Zone?
Skip the speed‑limit for a thrill? That’s a bit of an adventure with a serious price tag. For a quick legal rundown or a hint on staying hidden from the authorities, contact [email protected]. Remember: the law may be slow, but the consequences may not.
