New rules for micro-mobility vehicles

PUTRAJAYA: A by-law will be drawn up to deal with micro-mobility vehicles, including the need for users and suppliers to be licensed, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said amendments to the Road Transport Act to regulate the use of such vehicles was done in 2020, and the by-law will spell out the details.

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

‘Micro-mobility vehicles’ is the catch-all term for alternate vehicles like ebicycles, mopeds, escooters, one- or two-seater electric cars, and even the Segway, among others.

“There are a lot of such vehicles. An ebicycle is not your typical bicycle because it can be as fast as a motorcycle.

“We are looking at each micro-mobility vehicles to ensure that all are defined and governed by the by-law,” Dr Wee told reporters after launching a road safety campaign and Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri here yesterday.

Companies bringing in these vehicles will have to submit them for Vehicle Type Approval for their specifications to be inspected.

Dr Wee said the by-law was necessary because the use of such vehicles needs to be regulated in the interest of public safety.

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 or 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 50kph.

In his speech, he said that a total of 2,200 Road Transport Department enforcement personnel will be involved in Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

They would, among others, monitor road use through enforcement-based stations at 14 locations along the highway, board express buses disguised as passengers to ensure compliance by companies and drivers, as well as to have special ops on motorcycles.