No plans to issue licences for micromobility vehicles

THERE is no plan to issue licences for the use of micromobility vehicles as the matter is regulated under the Road Transport Act by-laws, says Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.

The use of micromobility vehicles such as mopeds and electric scooters is currently outlined in the Road Traffic Rules (Prohibition of the Use of Certain Micromobility Vehicles) 2021 of the Act, he said.

He added that if the ministry is to look into licensing bicycles or mopeds, then the public will object to the proposal, as in the past.

“Previously, there were suggestions to get bicycles registered and equipped with licence plates, but the response from the public was not so positive.

“It might seem like a small matter for these vehicles to cross the highways but it is dangerous for the riders,” he said during Question Time in Parliament yesterday.

Hasbi was replying to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam), who wanted to know how the ministry will address road safety involving personal vehicles such as electric scooters or mopeds that contain accelerators when crossing major highways.

The former transport minister also asked if it is necessary for riders of these personal vehicles to obtain licences since these vehicles may be used to cross such major roads.

Earlier, Hasbi explained that the relevant authorities, including the local authorities, should develop and gazette dedicated infrastructure such as special lanes for micromobility vehicles and submit an exemption request to the ministry.

“The development of such infrastructure should comply with the guidelines for Micromobility Vehicle Lane Planning developed by the Local Government Development Ministry through its agency, PlanMalaysia, and adhere to all safety and usage regulations,” he said.

He was replying to a question from Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya) who had asked if there was a strategic collaboration with local authorities to facilitate the use of micromobility vehicles in commercial and urban areas.

Hasbi also said the Transport Ministry, through the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), is formulating a safety assessment programme or standard safety testing for these vehicles to ensure their safety to users and other road users in general.