Land Transport Authority staff showing examples of a foldable bike and personal mobility devices such as a kick scooter that conform to the acceptable dimensions outside Little India MRT Station Downtown Line entrance on Nov 24, 2016.
From next month, commuters will be able to bring foldable bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMD) such as e-scooters on buses and trains all day as part of a six-month trial.
In a statement, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Thursday (Nov 24) that the trial – which was first announced by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan in July this year – will begin on Dec 1.
“This is another step taken by LTA to encourage more people to use public transport, and to adopt active mobility for the first and last mile of their daily public transport commutes,” said a spokesman for the authority.
Commuters will be allowed to bring foldable bicycles and PMDS which meet the following dimensions – a length of up to 120cm, a height of 70cm and a width of 40cm – on board public transport at any time of the day.
Most bikes and PMDs currently available on the market meet these standards.
Currently, only bicycles with a length of 114cm, a height of 64cm and a width of 36cm when folded are allowed on board trains and buses during off peak hours.
Signs displaying the dimensions will be progressively introduced at all MRT and LRT stations, as well as bus hubs and interchanges, from December. These signs will allow commuters to check the dimensions of their devices before bringing them on board trains and buses.
Bikes and PMDs must be folded at all times, and switched off when brought on board trains and buses. They are also not allowed on the staircases or upper decks of double-decker buses.
“This initiative integrates active mobility with our public transport system, and brings us closer to our aspiration for walking, cycling and riding public transport to be the best way to get around in Singapore,” said Mr Jeremy Yap, deputy chief executive for public transport, policy and planning at LTA.
“Commuters will able to cycle or ride to nearby transport nodes, bring their foldable bicycles and personal mobility devices on board public transport, and complete their journeys on their devices.”
Related story: E-bikes are everywhere and drivers must learn to live with them
Related story: Stiffer penalties for those who flout e-bike rules
