Regulated mobility service welcome, say operators

GEORGE TOWN: With micromobility vehicles now banned from public roads with immediate effect, ebike operators are willing to be regulated and given designated places to operate from which are safer for both pedestrians and tourists.

Operator Tan Teik Leong, 58, said over 40 ebikes of various types in his shop have been taken off the streets now.

“I’m willing to be regulated and have the ebikes operational only in designated areas.

“Hopefully, the area is within the heritage enclave where tourists are often commuting under the hot weather.

“Our business improved in the past with the ebikes as they could bring in visitors. In addition, the machines do not emit any exhaust fumes,” he added.

A check in the heritage enclave found operators charging RM20 per hour for the ebikes.

A visitor Grace Yeoh, 40, was spotted with her friends out to experience the ebikes.

“I agree that having ebikes on major roads where traffic is heavy can be dangerous. But in small alleys, they save a lot of time and energy from walking,” she added.

On Tuesday, the Transport Ministry announced that moped, electric scooters, skateboards and motorised wheelchairs were among micromobility vehicles that are banned on public roads.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said they were banned due to several reasons, with one of its considerations being the safety of road users.

“The ban ensures that a “dangerous mix” of micromobility vehicles and other vehicles on the roads are avoided.

Dr Wee, however, pointed out that authorities were not prohibiting the use of micromobility vehicles in total.

He said the use of these vehicles are allowed within the compound of private properties like facilities such as resorts where its roads are private or areas designated by local authorities for the use of micromobilty vehicles.