I‘ve got to give it to Singaporeans for being really innovative creatures.
If you haven’t guessed already, let me explain.
First, the gahmen bans PMDs on footpaths. It was a massive blow, especially to food delivery riders since for some of them, it was their source of income.
GrabFood even released a statement saying that we can expect cancellations and longer waiting time for food deliveries because 1/3 of food delivery personnel were PMD riders.
While many people certainly thought the ban was goody, not all shared the same sentiment. Some decided to post viral, angry videos.
Other distraught PMD riders declared, “this piece of metal is useless junk!” and tried to sell it on Carousell.
But what truly takes the cake is when PMD riders tried their utmost best to find a loophole in the ban.
They be like: We can’t ride on footpaths? Nah that’s alright, we can just ride on the damn grass patch.
10 points to Gryffindor for being innovative af. I like that #neversaynever mentality.
But the latest proof that Singapore is indeed a fine city?
NParks: PMD Riders Who Ride On Grass Patches Can Be Fined Up To $5,000
Sorry guys. That ploy might just result in you getting slapped with a fine of up to $5,000.
The National Parks Board (NParks) have clarified that grass turfs cannot be used as an alternate path for riders who are trying to find a loophole in the footpath ban.
Funnily enough, the potential fine for flouting the rules aka destroying the grass patches with PMDs stands at up to $5,000 per rider.
Their concern? The wheels of the e-scooters can cause irreparable damage to the grass turfs as it results in soil erosion, alongside safety concerns for both the rider and the pedestrian.
This is more expensive than flouting the PMD ban of riding on footpaths and getting slapped with a fine of up to $2,000.
Thank you, next.
100 Warnings Issued To PMD Riders In A Day
Within a day of implementation, more than 100 PMD riders have been issued warnings not to ride their e-scooters on footpaths.
And if you don’t already know what’s at stake let me make it clearer.
- PMDs are now only allowed on park connectors or cycling paths.
- Flouting these rules can cause you to cough up a hefty $2,000 fine and/or up to 3 months of jail.
- PMDs aren’t allowed at HDB void decks
- Otherwise, you may be fined up to $5,000.
There is no longer a grace period for the void deck ban, so riding PMDs there is a definite hard no.
However, there will be a grace period for footpaths and grass patch wherein you will be given warnings. The grace period ends on 1 January 2020.
