New by-law for micro-mobility vehicles in the works, says Dr Wee

PUTRAJAYA: A by-law will be drawn up that will specifically deal with micro-mobility vehicles, including for users and suppliers to be licenced, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said amendment to the Road Transport Act to regulate the use of such vehicles had already been done in 2020 and the by-law will spell out details.

This included the type of vehicles that could be used and licence requirements to operate micro-mobility vehicles of certain speed limits.

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"There are a lot of such vehicles. An ebicycle is not your typical bicycle because it can be operated with high speed and can be as fast as a motorcycle.

"We are looking at each micro-mobility vehicle to ensure that all are defined and governed by the by-law," he told reporters after launching a road safety campaign and Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri on Monday (April 18).

Companies bringing in these micro mobility vehicles would have to undergo Vehicle Type Approval procedure for its specifications to be inspected.

Dr Wee said the by-law was necessary because the use of such vehicles need to be regulated for the interest of the public and that the ministry’s land division as well as legal adviser had briefed him on the issue.

On Aug 26, 2020, the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020 was passed in the Dewan Rakyat to increase penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and reckless driving.

According to the Bill, micro-mobility vehicles refer to those powered by electricity, an internal combustion engine, or human power, or human power combined with any of the previously mentioned two with a maximum speed of 50km/h.

In his speech earlier, Dr Wee said that a total of 2,200 Road Transport Department enforcement personnel would be involved in the Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Among enforcement initiatives taken was to monitor road use through enforcement based stations at 14 locations along the highway, to board express buses and guise as passengers to ensure compliance by companies and drivers as well as to have special ops on motorcycles.