01 point of view
Written by: Review Editor
2020-06-17 08:00
Last update date: 2020-06-17 08:00Electric scooters are popular for a while, and they ride on roads in various districts from time to time. However, according to current legislation, these "electric mobile tools" are "cars" and cannot be used on the road if they are not licensed. The Transport and Housing Bureau submitted a document to the Legislative Council on Monday (15th) stating that the Bureau intends to relax the regulations to allow electric personal mobile tools and electric bicycles to be used for short-distance travel in areas with a better bicycle track network. The awkward position of electric scooters for many years is finally expected to change.
The awkward position of electric scooters for many years is finally expected to change. (Visual China)
Speed limit, weight limit, route limit?
The electric scooter should not be treated as a car, but it is too dangerous as a bicycle. It is placed between the two. The Bureau does have its own legislation. As the government pointed out in its document, although various "electric movable tools" including "hot wheels" still meet the definition of "car", they are usually slower and lighter in weight, and the risk should be lower than that of ordinary cars. Low; but at the same time, they are generally faster than bicycles, and if not properly controlled, they may be dangerous for passers-by. Therefore, the bureau suggested that electric scooters can be opened for use in short-distance travel in areas where the cycle track network is relatively complete. On footpaths and roads, the bureau proposed to ban it.
As for the specific restrictions on electric scooters, the government has listed many examples in the document, including setting scooter technical specifications, speed limits, drivable range, and driver age restrictions. The document pointed out that many regions or cities do not allow the use of electric scooters on footpaths and driveways, and most of them have age restrictions that prohibit persons aged 16 or younger from driving electric scooters. The maximum speed, weight and other regulations will be clearly stated. Although the details of the legislation are still to be considered by the Legislative Council, considering the local road conditions, I believe that Hong Kong is worth following the above regulations.
Residents of Hong Kong still have difficulty relying on the bicycle track to "step on the car" to work. (Profile picture/Reuters)
Improve the cycling track skateboard to work
To understand the effectiveness of various safety requirements, the Transport Department plans to conduct field trials in the Science Park and Tseung Kwan O in the second half of 2020, first allowing the public to use electric scooters on cycle tracks. The Bureau considers that the Science Park is a hot spot for cycling, and Tseung Kwan O is a new town with a well-developed cycling track.
As for whether electric scooters can pass through Hong Kong in the future, whether they can achieve the purpose of "short-distance travel" depends not only on how the regulations will regulate the mobility of vehicles, but also on whether the bicycle tracks in Hong Kong can cooperate with electric scooters. Popularization and development. In 2008, the government proposed to build a "super cycling trail" that links the New Territories. Unfortunately, the plan has not been completed more than ten years later. The government regards cycling as a leisure activity and is also limited by the development of the region itself. The "super cycling trail" that crosses the east and west often passes through scenic spots rather than directly into the commercial zone. Residents of Hong Kong still have difficulty relying on the bicycle track to "step on the car" to go to work. Even if the government opens the use of electric scooters in the future, it is believed that the effect of entertainment and leisure is still greater than travel. The Transport and Housing Bureau should step up to follow up the completion of the "Super Bike Trail", or assist Hong Kong people to use electric scooters to enter the urban area, so that they can truly achieve the role of "short-distance travel".
It is advisable to ban the electric locomotive when it is not appropriate to establish laws and regulations
01 point of view
New crown pneumonia electric scooter 01 views