Electric scooters are banned from public roads in Malaysia. Offenders are exposed to a fine of $68.
Malaysia has banned several types of slow-moving vehicles on public roads as they are a danger to road users, said Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong during a press conference on April 26 detailing the measure.
The vehicles concerned by the ban include personal mobility devices (PMD) such as electric scooters and modified scooters, mopeds and personal mobility aids (PMA). “The use of slow-moving vehicles can be dangerous not only for users but also for other road users,” the minister said.
“In some places, e‑scooters are driven too fast,” he added, pointing out that some licenses are needed above a certain speed. Electric scooters can go as fast as 25 km/h (16 mph). Moreover, the minister also specified that PMAs, such as motorized wheelchairs used by elderly people with difficulties walking, are not allowed on public roads either.
Another transportation mode that is now banned on Malaysian public roads is various versions of a moped, a two or three-wheeled small motorcycle, which can still go up to a speed of 50 km/h (31 mph).
Wee said the ban on micromobility vehicles has been gazetted under the Road Traffic Rules 2021 which came into effect in December. The Department of Transport (JPJ) and police will start enforcing the law, with a fine of 300 Malaysian ringgits (US$ 68) for those who fail to comply with the rules.
However, Datuk Mat Kasim Karim, the director of Royal Malaysia Police’s Traffic investigation and enforcement department, said law enforcement would not take any actions against the offenders for the moment. Authorities will instead focus on advising users on the dangers of using slow-moving vehicles on roads, according to the director.
However, e‑scooters are not banned everywhere. The use of micromobility vehicles is still allowed in areas where there is no jumble of traffic flows with numerous vehicles. Moreover, “the use of small vehicles on the road will be considered if the local authorities provide infrastructure and services that support the safe use of these vehicles,” such as dedicated lanes.
The new regulations don’t affect the use of bicycles, electric bicycles, or trishaws, which remain allowed on public roads.
