You Can Ride An Electric Scooter As Long As It's Your Own

Illustrated photo (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The police have prohibited the use of electric scooters across the bicycle path. If caught, the police will confiscate the electric scooter and record the offender's KTP number to be done electronically.

This raises a question mark. The reason is, Governor Regulation Number 128 of 2019 concerning the Provision of Bicycle Lanes allows scooters. In Paragraph (2), it is stated that apart from the designation of bicycles, bicycle lanes can be crossed by otopets, scooters, hoverboards and unicycle.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, explained that electric scooters that can pass on the bicycle path are only on private scooters. However, there are special provisions in using it.

"The private scooter (which is allowed) is used as the first and last mile for the means of transportation. So the goal is to go to the station, to the bus stop, then continue using public transportation, please," said Syafrin at the DPRD Building, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, November 29.

"But, using it must prioritize safety aspects such as wearing a helmet, wearing a jacket or reflector vest that can reflect light," he continued.

According to Syafrin, the electric scooters that are prohibited on the bicycle path and will be prosecuted by the police are scooters that are rented out, such as GrabWheels.

In Syafrin's opinion, many tenants currently do not use GrabWheels as a means of transportation. They mostly use GrabWheels just for playing.

This application-based electric scooter service provider may only operate in a special area and has the area manager's permission. Currently, the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium has implemented that GrabWheels tenants are prohibited from leaving the area.

Therefore, the responsibility for the safety and security of users and other road users is the responsibility of the area manager and the scooter operator.

"There is an electric scooter operator whose operations interfere with the safety and comfort of road users. So, we agreed with the police to ban the operator from the road and bicycle lanes," he said.

Previously, GrabWheels provided electric scooter shelters in front of shops or cafes. Given that there is now a ban on GrabWheels outside the area, Syafrin said that his party would check.

"Later, my colleagues and the police will carry out a joint operation to this scooter shelter. If it still provides, we will operate and we will transport it," said Syafrin.

Syafrin acknowledged that the rules for using scooters could not only stick to the Governor Regulation concerning bicycle lanes. Therefore, the public is asked to wait for the issuance of regulations regarding electric scooters which are currently still in the review stage.

For information, Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Pol Yusri Yunus said that prosecution against rogue scooter users does not violate the DKI Governor Regulation Number 129 of 2019. Because currently the police and several related agencies are drafting regulations specifically for electric scooters.

"There is already a Pergub regulation on electric scooters. Yes, a special (regulation) already exists, it just needs to be signed," said Yusri.

By waiting for the legalization of the case rules for electric scooters, it is said that the action taken is in accordance with the previous agreement. Rogue electric scooter users will be prosecuted if using them outside the designated area.

In addition to only being used in certain places, electric scooter users must also meet the requirements before using it. Starting from the age limit to be equipped with safety devices. "It was conveyed to the public that it could be used only in certain areas," said Yusri.