Lest you’re living under a cave, you’ll surely be familiar with the recent PMD ban, a regulation that has seemingly destroyed the core of every food delivery business:
The ban of PMDs from public footpaths, effective from 5 November 2019 onwards.
You can watch this video for more info:
Now, I bet you’ve seen it before. Hardworking individuals scurrying around on their precious e-scooters, lugging tons and tons of food packages in an attempt to satiate all the hungry bellies in the neighbourhood. I bet you’ve seen it before. And that’s also why I can kinda understand where the anti-ban individuals are coming from.
With public footpaths out of the way, in addition to roads and grass…
How do these individuals even make their deliveries anymore?
And it seems that I’m not the only one either, as Netizens and PMD riders alike voiced their concern. Though unlike my own opinions…
Some might come across as a little… angry.
PMD Riders Spam Senior Minister Lam Pin Min’s Facebook Account With Angry Comments
Only two days have passed since the ban of PMDs on footpaths was officially implemented, but it seems that dire consequences are already being witnessed, with disgruntled PMD food delivery riders in the spotlight of it all.
According to Singapore Uncensored, PMD food delivery riders have turned up in droves, or to be more specific turned up in Senior Minister Lam Pin Min’s Facebook Account, with complaints that their rice bowls have been majorly affected as a result of the news.
Here, you can read some of the more prominent concerns down below:
As seen above, some have called the ban out for its illogicality and demanded cars and motorcycles be banned as well. Also, others demanded to know where the nearest Park Connector Networks and cycle paths (two of three routes which e-scooters can now travel on) are, and questioned how they were supposed to push their PMDs for such a vast distance.
Lest you’re unaware, should an e-scooter rider encounter a public footpath, they are expected to disembark from their device and push it across.
Also, some netizens complained about how inconvenient the ban was, and ranted about the difficulties that have stemmed from the recent implementation. One, like the one we see below, was evidently upset as they expressed their utmost disappointment and desperation on the social media site.
And they weren’t alone.
And really, it gets you thinking. What about all the people whose livelihoods depend on such mobility devices?
Well, an appeal might work, as the following responses show.
And honestly speaking, the last commenter here does make a valid point:
Is a knife dangerous on its own, or is its owner the one who really determines the danger level here?
Well, I think we all know the answer here.
In other news, around 50 food delivery riders convened at the Meet-the-People session (MPS) in Ang Mo Kio on 7 Nov 2019, hoping to meet the MP in the area, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
While the venture was ultimately unsuccessful, the feedback from the riders would reportedly be sent to the LTA.
Though whether these concerns will be addressed, however…
Is really anyone’s guess.
