Wheelchairs allowed on pedestrian crossings

PETALING JAYA: People with disabilities (PwD) or health issues who are on personal mobility aid (PMA) like wheelchairs will be allowed to use pedestrian crossings although such PMA are banned from roads, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

However, the Transport Minister said those using PMA have to be careful to ensure the safety of pedestrians while crossing the roads.

“I believe there is some confusion over the use of PMA, especially by the PwD groups.

“Micromobility vehicles under the PMA classification are generally vehicles which are built for the use of individuals with mobility problems and for the disabled.

“The use of PMA on the road is prohibited, meaning no one is allowed to use one on the road alongside traffic like other motor vehicles such as cars, sand trucks and buses, including highways.

“This is because it could pose a high risk of road accidents and loss of life or cause injuries.

“This is also to prevent the PMA from being misused by healthy persons arbitrarily on the road,” he said in a statement.

Dr Wee said the use of PMA is not prohibited on surfaces other than roads as it was outside the scope of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Prohibition Rule.

He said the usage of PMA in shopping mall areas, pavements, shop pavements and in parks are under the purview of the relevant authorities or parks and shopping mall owners.

“We sought input from the Welfare Department, PwD associations and OKU Sentral on April 23 last year on the restrictions of using micromobility vehicles,” he said.

On Tuesday, Dr Wee announced that mopeds, electric scooters, skateboards and motorised wheelchairs are among micromobility vehicles that are banned on public roads effective immediately.

This is to avoid the “dangerous mix” of micromobility vehicles and other vehicles on the roads while ensuring safety of road users.