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Serious PMD terrorist: I'll defy footpath ban so I can feed my kids
- Thread starter Valium
- Start date
Germany Green-Lights E-Scooters on Roads, Not Pavements
By Agence France-Presse
May 17, 2019 12:28 PM
FILE - E-scooters are lined up during a presentation at the DESY campus in Hamburg, Germany, April 16, 2019.
BERLIN - Germany on Friday authorized battery-powered scooters on its streets and cycle paths but banned them from pavements to protect pedestrians as the two-wheeled craze continues to spread across Europe.
Following fierce debate over road safety and the impact on traffic, the upper house adopted a proposal by Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer to approve the "electric propulsion vehicles" for road use.
They are either loved or loathed in Europe's biggest economy.
"In Germany, souls are divided over e-scooters. Rarely has a new technology aroused such strong popularity — and such strong rejection," said Achim Berg, president of Germany's IT federation Bitkom.
Scheuer was forced to amend his initial suggestion to allow electric scooters on pavements, after it sparked an outcry from politicians, police unions and insurance groups.
Electrical scooters will only be allowed on pavements in exceptional cases, to be expressly indicated by signs.
E-scooter users must respect a speed limit of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) per hour and be aged 14 years or older.
'Would be a Ferrari'
The decision opens up the market for mobility companies vying to provide rented e-scooters in Germany's cities with Berlin-based startup Tier and Sweden's Voi up against US firms Lime and Bird, leaders in the fast-growing sector.
Europe's leading economy, with its mostly flat, highly urbanized geography and spiderweb network of cycle paths is a potential goldmine for e-scoot rental providers waiting in the wings.
"You have to expect a greyhound race. Whoever can convince people first will win the market," said Hans Preissl, a spokesman for Frankfurt's traffic authority.
The economic model of the booming e-scooter market still needs refining however, warns a study by the Boston Consulting Group on Friday.
"If market growth were vehicle acceleration, the humble electric scooter - the latest answer to urban mobility — would be a Ferrari," said BCG, which predicts "consolidation is inevitable" in such a crowded market.
Undeterred, German car behemoth Volkswagen is eyeing the e-scooter market with plans to incorporate them into its own car-sharing scheme by the end of the year.
However, an influx of scooters could intensify the battle for space on Germany's streets, where cycling associations have long demanded more and wider bicycle paths.
The co-existence of cyclists and e-scooter users on Germany's cycle paths could quickly become untenable, warns Der Spiegel, "while imposing half-empty cars will continue to occupy lanes," referring to Germans' love of large cars.
'Inevitable' conflicts
"Conflicts are inevitable," Social Democrat politician Anke Rehlinger said Thursday, adding that "continuous" effort should be made to define new rules for the e-scooters.
Scheuer labeled them a "genuine additional alternative for cars" in Germany's traffic-choked cities yet there are also medical warnings against their use on Germany's roads.
"E-scooters are highly dangerous in city traffic — not least because other road users find it extremely difficult to adjust to them," Christopher Spering, from the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung newspaper.
There are also fears cyclists could be pushed off cycle paths specifically built for them.
"The already very limited area, currently granted to cycle traffic, should not have its use further extended," said Jens Hilgenberg, traffic expert of the environmentalist group BUND told magazine Der Spiegel.
Daily newspaper Maerkische Oderzeitung says German cities have a choice — either they "risk chaos and even war between the modes of transport" or they prioritize cyclists, e-scooters users and pedestrians resulting in "painful losses for motorists" in inner city areas.
By Agence France-Presse
May 17, 2019 12:28 PM
FILE - E-scooters are lined up during a presentation at the DESY campus in Hamburg, Germany, April 16, 2019.
BERLIN - Germany on Friday authorized battery-powered scooters on its streets and cycle paths but banned them from pavements to protect pedestrians as the two-wheeled craze continues to spread across Europe.
Following fierce debate over road safety and the impact on traffic, the upper house adopted a proposal by Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer to approve the "electric propulsion vehicles" for road use.
They are either loved or loathed in Europe's biggest economy.
"In Germany, souls are divided over e-scooters. Rarely has a new technology aroused such strong popularity — and such strong rejection," said Achim Berg, president of Germany's IT federation Bitkom.
Scheuer was forced to amend his initial suggestion to allow electric scooters on pavements, after it sparked an outcry from politicians, police unions and insurance groups.
Electrical scooters will only be allowed on pavements in exceptional cases, to be expressly indicated by signs.
E-scooter users must respect a speed limit of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) per hour and be aged 14 years or older.
'Would be a Ferrari'
The decision opens up the market for mobility companies vying to provide rented e-scooters in Germany's cities with Berlin-based startup Tier and Sweden's Voi up against US firms Lime and Bird, leaders in the fast-growing sector.
Europe's leading economy, with its mostly flat, highly urbanized geography and spiderweb network of cycle paths is a potential goldmine for e-scoot rental providers waiting in the wings.
"You have to expect a greyhound race. Whoever can convince people first will win the market," said Hans Preissl, a spokesman for Frankfurt's traffic authority.
The economic model of the booming e-scooter market still needs refining however, warns a study by the Boston Consulting Group on Friday.
"If market growth were vehicle acceleration, the humble electric scooter - the latest answer to urban mobility — would be a Ferrari," said BCG, which predicts "consolidation is inevitable" in such a crowded market.
Undeterred, German car behemoth Volkswagen is eyeing the e-scooter market with plans to incorporate them into its own car-sharing scheme by the end of the year.
However, an influx of scooters could intensify the battle for space on Germany's streets, where cycling associations have long demanded more and wider bicycle paths.
The co-existence of cyclists and e-scooter users on Germany's cycle paths could quickly become untenable, warns Der Spiegel, "while imposing half-empty cars will continue to occupy lanes," referring to Germans' love of large cars.
'Inevitable' conflicts
"Conflicts are inevitable," Social Democrat politician Anke Rehlinger said Thursday, adding that "continuous" effort should be made to define new rules for the e-scooters.
Scheuer labeled them a "genuine additional alternative for cars" in Germany's traffic-choked cities yet there are also medical warnings against their use on Germany's roads.
"E-scooters are highly dangerous in city traffic — not least because other road users find it extremely difficult to adjust to them," Christopher Spering, from the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung newspaper.
There are also fears cyclists could be pushed off cycle paths specifically built for them.
"The already very limited area, currently granted to cycle traffic, should not have its use further extended," said Jens Hilgenberg, traffic expert of the environmentalist group BUND told magazine Der Spiegel.
Daily newspaper Maerkische Oderzeitung says German cities have a choice — either they "risk chaos and even war between the modes of transport" or they prioritize cyclists, e-scooters users and pedestrians resulting in "painful losses for motorists" in inner city areas.
Guess the race of the scooter terrorists?
E-scooter user: I'll defy footpath ban so I can feed my kids
- 1882 Engagements
But one rider will continue to defy the ban despite being aware of the penalties if he gets caught.
Wanting to be known only as Mr Ariffin, the full-time food delivery rider of three years feels he has little choice because he has three young mouths to feed.
He said the ban, which kicked in on Nov 5, was too sudden and did not give users time to adapt.
With the ban, e-scooters can be used only on the 440km of cycling paths islandwide.
"Come Jan 1, I'll just have to take my chances on footpaths. I spent $1,500 on this device. I'm not going to waste more money to replace it," Mr Ariffin, 31, told The New Paper last week.
Nine other users told TNP said they will comply with the ban and are learning to adapt.
LTA has warned that offenders will face a fine of up to $2,000 and/or jail of up to three months from next year.
The Government and three major food delivery companies have put up a $7 million grant for users like Mr Ariffin to trade in e-scooters for other devices.
He said the scheme is of little help to him. "The grant works as a reimbursement. But I don't have another $2,000 to buy another device right now."
Changing jobs is also not an option, Mr Ariffin said.
"This job gives flexibility in case I need to go home to help with the kids," he added.
About 7,000 food delivery riders use personal mobility devices (PMDs) here, and as of Dec 16, LTA has received over 3,000 applications for the grant and approved over 2,800 of them.
The application deadline is on Dec 31, but Grab delivery riders have until March 31 to complete their trade-ins.
Some delivery riders like Mr Patrick Soh, 48, say they will use their e-scooters until Dec 31 before switching, while others like Mr Khairul Mohamed, 28, plan to get out of the industry.
Those who use e-scooters to commute, like Mr Ilango Malai, 37, are also biting the bullet.
The safety coordinator, who has worked here since 2005, scoots from his Woodlands flat to his worksite. He plans to send his e-scooter home to India and get a bicycle instead.
He said: "Hopefully my family will get more use out of it."
Announcing the footpath ban on Nov 4, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min told Parliament that it was a necessary step to make pedestrians feel safe again.
Last Tuesday, he said there had been a palpable difference in terms of safety on footpaths since the ban kicked in.
The authorities are looking to speed up the conversions of footpaths into shared paths to give e-scooter riders more room, Dr Lam added.
Mr Ang Hin Kee, deputy chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said that most e-scooter riders, to their credit, have taken the ban on the chin, even with their livelihoods affected and numerous inconveniences.
"Remember, they are not employees. So it was individuals who had to make their own call," he told TNP.
Mr Ang said the food delivery companies have done a fair bit as well in terms of training, assisting with the transition, providing funding for the trade-in grant and advising their riders.
He hopes reminders of LTA's zero-tolerance approach will be strengthened in the next week.
"I'm quite sure the enforcement action will kick in quite swiftly and the coverage will be quite wide," he added.
Mr Koh Juay Meng, president of senior citizen volunteer organisation RSVP Singapore, said the footpath ban has been a plus for seniors, who say it has been effective.
Mr Koh, who sits on the Active Mobility Advisory Panel, said that for riders, it is a matter of managing expectations.
"They have to look at a few factors and not just at their own convenience. They also have to think of others."
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I agree. They should be on the roads. Let them take their chances, just like any other motorised vehicles.For God's sake just let them ride on the road like they do in civilized countries.
Guess the race of the scooter terrorists?
E-scooter user: I'll defy footpath ban so I can feed my kids
With the ban, e-scooters can be used only on the 440km of cycling paths islandwide. The LTA will take a zero-tolerance approach from Jan 1. TNP PHOTO: HIDAYAH ISKANDAR
After issuing thousands of warnings in two months, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will take a zero-tolerance approach against e-scooter riders caught on footpaths from Jan 1.
- 1882 Engagements
But one rider will continue to defy the ban despite being aware of the penalties if he gets caught.
Wanting to be known only as Mr Ariffin, the full-time food delivery rider of three years feels he has little choice because he has three young mouths to feed.
He said the ban, which kicked in on Nov 5, was too sudden and did not give users time to adapt.
With the ban, e-scooters can be used only on the 440km of cycling paths islandwide.
"Come Jan 1, I'll just have to take my chances on footpaths. I spent $1,500 on this device. I'm not going to waste more money to replace it," Mr Ariffin, 31, told The New Paper last week.
Parents gave this rapper space to follow dreams
Nine other users told TNP said they will comply with the ban and are learning to adapt.
LTA has warned that offenders will face a fine of up to $2,000 and/or jail of up to three months from next year.
The Government and three major food delivery companies have put up a $7 million grant for users like Mr Ariffin to trade in e-scooters for other devices.
He said the scheme is of little help to him. "The grant works as a reimbursement. But I don't have another $2,000 to buy another device right now."
Changing jobs is also not an option, Mr Ariffin said.
"This job gives flexibility in case I need to go home to help with the kids," he added.
About 7,000 food delivery riders use personal mobility devices (PMDs) here, and as of Dec 16, LTA has received over 3,000 applications for the grant and approved over 2,800 of them.
The application deadline is on Dec 31, but Grab delivery riders have until March 31 to complete their trade-ins.
Some delivery riders like Mr Patrick Soh, 48, say they will use their e-scooters until Dec 31 before switching, while others like Mr Khairul Mohamed, 28, plan to get out of the industry.
Those who use e-scooters to commute, like Mr Ilango Malai, 37, are also biting the bullet.
The safety coordinator, who has worked here since 2005, scoots from his Woodlands flat to his worksite. He plans to send his e-scooter home to India and get a bicycle instead.
He said: "Hopefully my family will get more use out of it."
Announcing the footpath ban on Nov 4, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min told Parliament that it was a necessary step to make pedestrians feel safe again.
Last Tuesday, he said there had been a palpable difference in terms of safety on footpaths since the ban kicked in.
The authorities are looking to speed up the conversions of footpaths into shared paths to give e-scooter riders more room, Dr Lam added.
Mr Ang Hin Kee, deputy chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said that most e-scooter riders, to their credit, have taken the ban on the chin, even with their livelihoods affected and numerous inconveniences.
"Remember, they are not employees. So it was individuals who had to make their own call," he told TNP.
Mr Ang said the food delivery companies have done a fair bit as well in terms of training, assisting with the transition, providing funding for the trade-in grant and advising their riders.
He hopes reminders of LTA's zero-tolerance approach will be strengthened in the next week.
"I'm quite sure the enforcement action will kick in quite swiftly and the coverage will be quite wide," he added.
Mr Koh Juay Meng, president of senior citizen volunteer organisation RSVP Singapore, said the footpath ban has been a plus for seniors, who say it has been effective.
Mr Koh, who sits on the Active Mobility Advisory Panel, said that for riders, it is a matter of managing expectations.
"They have to look at a few factors and not just at their own convenience. They also have to think of others."
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
Terrorist is already a big hint.
But tat will jeopardise cars
I thought the hint was 'food delivery driver with kids '
But who will likely lose life or limb during an accident?
Vigilantism is the only way!!!These are full fucking videos for LTA. How many of these cunts have they arrested?
Our uniform
Vigilantism is the only way!!!
Our uniform
My choice of weapon would be a broomstick. Trip, strip and insert.
For guys, insert in the asshole?
My sincere apologies. I was out-station for a few weeks. Now I'm back!!!Where were you when we needed
you
=JC=
Sounds good.
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