The government plans to regulate the electric scooter to be allowed to walk on the bicycle track in Tseung Kwan O and Science Park

Social News

Written by: Huang Weilun

2020-06-15 16:46

In recent years, many people prefer to use electric scooters or electric unicycles commonly known as "hot wheels". However, according to the current law, such electric mobile tools belong to "cars" and must be licensed before they can be used. It is illegal. Today (15th), the Transport and Housing Bureau submitted a document to the Legislative Council that it intends to relax the regulations to allow electric personal mobile tools and electric bicycles to be used as short-distance travel in areas with a better bicycle track network; but it should still not be Used on the driveway.

According to documents, the Transport Department plans to conduct field trials in the Science Park and Tseung Kwan O in the second half of this year to understand the public's acceptance of the above-mentioned tools on cycling tracks, and the interaction between these tools and ordinary bicycles. According to the document, all stakeholders will be consulted later, and plans to amend the regulations in 2021.

Various types of electric mobile tools (Legislative Council documents)

According to the current "Road Traffic Ordinance", "car" refers to any vehicle driven by machinery. Due to electric personal mobility tools (such as electric scooters), electric assisted bicycles, and electric personal mobility aids (such as electric wheelchairs), etc. It is driven by machinery and meets the definition of "car", so it must be licensed before it can be used. However, because its design and construction, such as braking and lighting systems, failed to meet the statutory requirements of applicable vehicles, the Transport Department will not issue a license. In other words, it is illegal to use related tools on the road.

According to the document, the Transport Department has studied the regulatory methods in 12 jurisdictions or cities, and most of them prohibit the use of the above tools on pedestrian roads. However, electric wheelchairs and other tools used to assist people with disabilities and the elderly are generally allowed for pedestrians. Used on the road, subject to speed control. The document continued that, in addition to borrowing from other places, local factors also need to be considered, including road and pedestrian safety, traffic environment, road design, etc.

The government currently prohibits the use of electric mobile tools such as electric scooters. (Profile picture)

In view of the characteristics of the above-mentioned tools, the authorities suggested that the regulation should be looser than that of vehicles, but stricter than that of bicycles, because the relevant tools are generally lighter than vehicles, slower in speed, and lower in risk than vehicles; but if not properly controlled, the maximum speed is higher than that of bicycles Faster than that, there are greater risks. The authorities believe that electric-assisted bicycles and electric personal mobility tools should not be driven on footpaths like bicycles, but if properly regulated, they can be used for short-distance travel in areas with a better bicycle track network. The authorities expected a relatively minor impact on bicycle traffic.

As to whether it is possible to drive on the carriageway, the authorities said that the current road design is car-centric and there are no dedicated bicycle lanes; and because Hong Kong has many people and many roadside activities, it is recommended that it should not be allowed to be used on the carriageway.

The document states that electric wheelchairs can be used on pedestrian roads. (Profile picture)

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As for electric wheelchairs, as they are an important means of travel for the disabled and the elderly, the authorities believe that as long as their speed is limited to a certain level, the impact on pedestrians is slight, so they should be allowed to use them on pedestrian roads, but it is prohibited to use them on bicycle tracks or lanes use.

Proposed amendments to legislation in 2021

The document mentioned that the Transport Department will further formulate regulations and technical requirements for electric mobile tools, such as speed control, safety devices, user age restrictions and technical specifications. As the Government intends to introduce penalties for violations of statutory requirements, the Transport Department will study whether the regulatory framework is feasible and easy to enforce. In addition, the authorities plan to conduct field trials in the Science Park and Tseung Kwan O in the second half of 2020 to gain practical operational experience, including understanding the public's acceptance of related tools on bicycle tracks; the interaction of tools with ordinary single workshops; and related The effect of the user imposing certain safety requirements.

The document states that the relevant regulatory framework must revise the existing legislation. Depending on the evaluation of the field trials, the Transport Department plans to start the legislative revision work in 2021.

Cycle Track of Transport and Housing Bureau, Transport Department