Electric Scooter Dilemma, Jakarta Urban Mode Of Transportation

GrabWheels electric scooter (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Long before, the accident that killed two GrabWheels electric scooter users in Jakarta some time ago. Singapore has already banned the operation of this Kiwari mode of transportation in its city.

At least since the beginning of last November, Singapore officially banned the operation of electric scooters on the sidewalks and main roads of the city. Those who violate can be subject to a two-month prison sentence or a maximum fine of 2,000 Singapore dollars or around Rp. 20 million.

Electric scooters can only ride on bicycle roads and lanes that connect city parks throughout Singapore. This prohibition is carried out because the existence of electric scooters is considered to threaten the safety of pedestrians in Singapore.

Quoting Channel News Asia, Singapore's Minister of Transportation, Lam Pin Min, said the ban came after the public was concerned about the careless and reckless behavior of electric scooter riders.

"Over the past two years, we have been working hard to encourage the safe use of electric vehicles for personal mobility. Despite these efforts, we often encounter drivers who are careless and actually dangerous to drive," said Lam.

Not only electric scooters, the Singapore government also plans to expand the rules for operating battery-based electric vehicles such as the Segway to have usage licenses. So that the Land Transportation Authority (Dishub Singapore) can oversee the operating license for the current mode of transportation.

Ban on e-scooters in Singapore (Channel News Asia)

The operation of electric scooters is also strictly regulated by the French, British and German governments. The battery autopet may only operate on the bicycle path.

As quoted by Reuters, this rule came into force since the number of road accidents involving electric scooter users increased dramatically. The reason is because many electric scooter users are careless in using the car lane when driving.

The electric scooters are also prohibited from parking on the sidewalk and their maximum speed will be limited to 20 kilometers per hour. Quoting the micro-scooters.co.uk page, electric scooters are even categorized as illegal vehicles when operated on British roads and sidewalks.

Meanwhile in Germany, electric scooters are still an alternative mode of transportation. However, the operation is very closely monitored.

Launching from Deutsche Welle (DW), the operation of electric scooters is only allowed for those who already have a license or some kind of special SIM for electric vehicles. Users are also required to wear safety equipment such as helmets and should not exceed 20 km / hour.

The Dilemma of Capital City Residents

Regardless of the cons that reject the existence of electric scooters in big cities. The existence of electric autopets is still seen as a solution to urban problems in the capital, such as congestion and air pollution.

Even before GrabWheels, electric scooters were arguably less popular in Jakarta. Understandably, the price is quite expensive, making it not attracting many people.

For example, the price of the Mi M365 electric scooter made by Xiaomi in the marketplace starts at IDR 6.25 million per unit. Apart from Xiomi, a number of electric scooter brands also enliven the marketplace windows in the country. Call it, Segway, Darknight, Azixgo, and HX.

So the only way to enjoy an electric scooter is by renting it through the GrabWheels service which is now very popular with Jakartans. On the other hand, Grab strongly supports the efforts of the Jakarta government in making regulations related to the operation of electric scooters, both those provided by GrabWheels and personal mobility devices.

The reason is, Grab does not want the incident of a traffic accident involving two GrabWheels riders to happen again. There have been many criticisms received by Grab for this incident, ranging from leasing permits to use GrabWheels, education and understanding of usage so as not to be careless in driving, and safety devices.

"Grab will also carry out technology updates that will stop scooter users in several areas, such as the car free day area, JPO (pedestrian bridges) and others," said Head of Public Affairs Grab Indonesia Tri Sukma Anreianno to reporters.

Classifications and regulations that limit this modern mode of transportation also need to be clearly studied. This is because vehicles such as electric scooters are not regulated in Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation.

In terms of specifications, this electric scooter is also not included in Presidential Regulation Number 55 of 2019 concerning the Acceleration of the Battery Electric Vehicle Program for Road Transportation.

"If this (GrabWheels) is the car body, the technical specifications, are somewhat different. Yes (no type test) if it is not a motorized vehicle, it doesn't have to be. Type) for the type test, "said Head of Sub-Directorate of Gakkum, Ditlantas Polda Metro Jaya, Kompol Fahri Siregar, as quoted by CNN Indonesia, Wednesday, November 14.

On the other hand, the DKI Provincial Government through the Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub) has issued a ban on the use of electric scooters on sidewalks and pedestrian bridges (JPO). Now electric scooters are only allowed to cross the bicycle lane.

In addition, the operating hours of leased electric scooters will also be limited. "The scooters are rented because the purpose is for transportation, we plan to set the operation to the same as public operations, the Jakarta transportation system from 05.00 to 23.00 WIB," said Head of DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, when contacted.

However, these restrictions have not yet been enforced. Syafrin said that the regulation was still in the process of being reviewed to be stipulated in a Governor Regulation (Pergub). The regulation is expected to be issued in December 2019. The Governor Regulation will also regulate operational location restrictions up to the age limit of users.