Limit use of mobility scooters to those with medical needs: Panel

Only people who are certified to have walking difficulties or medical needs should be allowed to use mobility scooters, a review panel has proposed.

In its proposal submitted to the Ministry of Transport on Dec 14, the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (Amap) said that in recent years, there have been rising concerns that able-bodied people have been misusing personal mobility aids (PMAs), particularly mobility scooters. These include concerns over dangerous riding, speeding and overly large PMAS.

To prevent the misuse of these devices, the 16-member advisory panel also recommended that the Government reduce the speed limit of all motorised PMAs, including motorised wheelchairs, from 10kmh to 6kmh, the typical walking speed.

This is to better reflect their intended use, which is to replace walking for users with mobility challenges, said Amap. Mobility aids can be used on footpaths and cycling tracks but not on roads.

Amap could not provide an estimated number of active mobility aid users or devices in Singapore.

These devices do not have to be registered upon purchase.

The panel said it expects the number of such users to increase as Singapore's population ages.

If the proposal is adopted, current PMA users can use relevant certification or disability identification, such as concession cards for commuters with disabilities, to show they qualify. Those who do not have one should obtain certification of a medical need or a doctor's memo before using a PMA.

Amap said it has proposed a targeted approach for certification that covers only mobility scooters.

This is to minimise the impact on users with genuine needs who are using manual and motorised wheelchairs.