USAGE OF MOTORISED BICYCLES

USAGE OF MOTORISED BICYCLES

**

(Accidents and third party insurance): **

42.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport with the rise in motorised bicycles of not more than 200 watts (a) how many riders of these motorised bicycles were involved in traffic accidents over the past 12 months; and (b) whether these motorised bicycles are required to be covered by third party insurance.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: For motorised bicycles to be exempted from registration and, hence, third party insurance requirements, LTA requires them to have similar construction and performance characteristics as conventional pedal bicycles. They are restricted to 200 watts or less, are powered by an electric source, and their electric motor must cut off when the bicycle reaches a speed of 25km/h or when the rider stops pedalling. This is comparable to the average speed of a moderately fit adult pedalling a conventional bicycle on level ground. Hence, like conventional bicycles, there is no need for them to be covered by third party insurance.

According to the Police, there were no fatal or injury accidents involving motorised bicycles between June 2008 and June 2009.