E-bike Laws in Singapore: Is it Time for a Review?

18 June 2024 – In 2016, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) introduced regulations mandating that all E-bikes adhere to a weight limit of 20kg and a speed limit of 25 km/h. These measures were implemented primarily for safety reasons, aiming to mitigate the risks associated with accidents involving E-bikes and pedestrians. 

Accidents involving E-bikes and pedestrians were on the rise, prompting authorities to take action. The heavier weight of some E-bikes increased the severity of injuries in collisions, leading to the imposition of a maximum weight limit of 20kg. Additionally, higher speeds pose greater risks, so the power output is cut off once an E-bike reaches 25 km/h to reduce the likelihood of serious accidents.

The speed limit of 25 km/h for E-bikes in Singapore aligns with regulations in other regions such as the US, European Union, and Australia. These regulations are often based on the European Standard EN15194, which sets comprehensive safety standards for electric-assisted bicycles.

While safety is the primary concern behind these regulations, there are mixed views on their effectiveness. Some argue that the restrictions may inadvertently increase risks for E-bike riders. For instance, the speed limit might lead to E-bike riders “hogging” the road, potentially causing drivers to dangerously overtake them.

Moreover, critics point out that normal bicycle riders can increase their speed to over 25 km/h to avoid accidents due to road congestion, while E-bikes cannot. This raises questions about whether the regulations are equitable and truly effective in promoting safety for all road users.

According to CNA, looking at accident data from 2018 to 2021, there is a clear pattern. 2018 had 35 accidents and in 2019 it decreased to 24. However, accidents went up drastically in 2020 to 78, the year that the ban on riding E-bikes on footpaths began being enforced under the Active Mobility Act. In 2021, there were 150 E-bike accidents.

We could say the rise in accidents is due to factors such as more delivery riders operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when we compare years, we notice accidents went down from 2018 to 2019 when E-bikes were still allowed on footpaths. This shows we need to think about how rules affect how safely eBike riders can commute.

We can’t just blame E-bike riders or other road users. We need to look at the rules themselves and how they influence rider’s behaviours. There needs to be an emphasis on rectifying rules in the system and how we can make them better.

With the E-bike landscape evolving and the safety concerns remaining pertinent, it’s worth considering whether the current regulations in Singapore need to be revisited. As technology advances and urban environments change, a review of E-bike laws could lead to improvements in safety and accessibility for riders and pedestrians alike.

As highlighted by Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng in his speech at the Ministry of Transport Committee of Supply 2024, titled “Balancing Connectivity, Safety and Inclusivity While Promoting Gracious Behaviour,” delivered on March 2, 2024, at 10:00 AM, AMAP will review the weight criteria for active mobility devices. Over the past few years, there have been suggestions to increase the weight limit for these devices. 

A recent study done by the team at Nanyang Technological University also suggests that some power-assisted bicycles, or PABs, which are within the current weight limit may not be as stable, making them potentially less safe. Particularly, PABs equipped with small wheels or built with small frames tend to be more prone to skidding and could increase the risk of accidents.

We fully support AMAP’s direction in reviewing the weight limit of personal mobility devices, especially E-bikes. Until these changes can be made by AMAP, here are the top 3 E-bikes to purchase that meet all of LTA’s legal requirements.

The Leader 2.0 was created with food delivery riders’ needs in mind. It features 20” tri-spoke fat tyres, a low mid-frame and a rear rack. It runs on a 48V 240W brushless motor, providing higher torque. It also has front and rear disc brakes and good pickup acceleration. 

One of the unique features of the Leader E-bike is that it has sleek, leather hand grips- elevating the overall look of the E-bike and providing good grip for the rider. This bike is relatively affordable and provides good value for money considering the 720WH battery capacity.  

The Leader 2.0 is truly the cowboy’s bike, giving you a stylish and comfortable ride.

The Orca 3.0 E-bike (also known as the Beast) is one of the most popular E-bikes in the market.

It runs on a 48V 20Ah battery cell and can travel up to 100km on a single charge. It is the first LTA type approved, EN15194: 2017 certified  16” fat tyre long-distance E-bike. Its off-road fat tyres mean that you can cycle through any terrain and roads with ease and comfort. 

Despite its big battery capacity, the Orca E-bike is also foldable- making it easy to bring into public transportation when needed. Unlike other E-bikes that throttle when they reach the maximum speed of 25 km/h, this E-bike can maintain its speed. 

If you are looking for a foldable E-bike with great distance and superior comfort, the Orca 3.0 is the perfect companion.

A game-changer for the E-bike industry in Singapore, the Ultra RT E-bike defeats all other E-bikes in terms of its battery capacity at 48V 25Ah which is nearly twice the size of the average E-bike. This battery tops all the other E-bikes in Singapore at 1200 Watt Hours!

The small frame also allows you to make manoeuvres and sharp turns comfortably. The low frame of the E-bike allows you to get on and off easily. It has great acceleration pickup and features a front carrier block mount and a front bag mount so you can enjoy your ride without worrying about having to carry extra baggage! If distance and big battery capacity is your main priority, definitely go for the Ultra.