Why is it important to get a UL2272-certified E-scooter?
UPDATE [6 Aug 2019]: The PMD safety certification deadline has been moved forward to July 2020. All non-UL2272 certified devices will be auto-deregistered and cannot be used in public after July 2020. Users can continue to ride only UL2272 certified PMDs beyond the July 2020 deadline.
Have you heard of the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) new safety criteria for Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs)?
It is the UL2272 safety certification that is issued by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) of the United States for PMDs to ensure an overall safer riding experience.
On 10 September 2018, LTA adopted the UL 2272 as a new fire safety standard for PMDs. All e-scooters and PMDs have to be registered by 30 June 2019 or else they will be illegal to ride on public paths.
So, why is it useful to buy an e-scooter that is UL 2272 certified now?
Stores cannot sell non-UL2272-certified e-scooters after 30 June 2019
Starting from 1 July 2019, retailers will not be allowed to sell non-UL2272 e-scooters. This means that you will only be able to purchase UL2272 certified e-scooters at all retail stores.
Riding one on public paths will also be considered an offence by 1 July 2019. Hence, it is necessary for you to get an e-scooter that is UL2272-certified.
UL2272 e-scooters need to be deregistered and scrapped by 31 December 2020
LTA has announced that by 1 July 2020, non-UL2272 certified e-scooters will be auto-deregistered. This includes the non-UL2272-certified e-scooters that are registered before 1 July 2019. E-scooters that have been auto-deregistered will be prohibited to use on public paths.
Non-UL2272 e-scooters have a limited time to use
Since non-UL2272 e-scooters will only be allowed till 31 December 2020, getting one that is UL2272-certified now means that your e-scooter can be used past 1 July 2020. If you were to get one that is non-UL2272-certified, your e-scooter will only be allowed on the road for less than 2 years.
UL2272-certified e-scooters are safer
Incidents involving exploding batteries on e-scooters and road accidents are one of the reasons why the UL2272 criteria was adopted. E-scooters that are UL2272-certified have undergone strict laboratory testing to ensure that they meet a set of safety requirements developed by the Underwriters Laboratories. This ensures that the e-scooters are more resistant to fire and electrical accidents.
How to check if an e-scooter is UL2272 certified?
To check if an e-scooter is UL 2272-certified, you have to look for the recognised UL2272 safety certification mark. As long as one of the logos shown on the www.onemotoring.com.sg/escooter website can be found on your e-scooter, it is safe to go.
There are various forms of the safety certification, which represents the different laboratories the e-scooters were tested in. All of the tests meet the safety standards of the UL 2272 certification.
Where can I get a UL2272 certified e-scooter?
If you are looking for one, check out the Segway-Ninebot ES2 E-scooter which is both LTA-compliant and UL 2272-certified, at www.OhMyBike.com. It is currently going at a discounted price of $649 (U.P $799).
How to bring your e-scooter on board public transport?
Besides having to be LTA-compliant and UL2272-certified, there are certain rules and guidelines for e-scooters to be brought on board public transport.
The dimensions of the e-scooter has to be about 120cm x 35 x 25cm to be allowed on public transport. The e-scooter must also be turned off and kept folded (must not exceed 120cm x 70cm x 40cm) at all times.
To bring your e-scooter on board a bus, take note that only one is allowed on board for each ride. This means that there cannot be two or more e-scooter/PMDs on the bus at any point of time. E-scooters are also not allowed on the upper deck of a bus or on the staircase leading to the upper deck.