Strassenzulassung

Allow bicycles and mobility devices on footpaths, not electric bicycles: Panel

A panel formed to develop rules and a code of conduct for cycling and the use of personal mobility devices has recommended that bicycles be allowed on footpaths.

Personal mobility devices (PMDs), excluding electric bicycles, as well as personal mobility aids like motorised wheelchairs, should also be allowed on footpaths, but with a speed limit of 15kmh, said the panel.

PMDs refer to kick-scooters, electric scooters, electric unicycles and electric hoverboards.

Previously, bicycles and PMDs were not allowed on footpaths.

The 14-member Active Mobility Advisory Panel formed last July, is chaired by Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and released its findings and proposals in a report on Thursday (March 17).

It is the culmination of work which included an extensive public consultation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and public surveys.

Where cycling and shared paths such as Park Connector Networks are concerned, the panel recommends that PMDs, personal mobility aids as well as bicycles and electric bicycles be allowed to be used, but with a speed limit of 25kmh.

The panel also recommends that only bicycles and electric bicycles be allowed to continue being used on roads.

While the panel said it supports allowing bicycles and PMDs on all paths, it recommends setting a maximum weight, size and speed limit, in order to further enhance safety for pedestrians.

Specifically, all bicycles and PMDs used on public paths and roads should not weigh more than 20kgs, must not exceed 70cm in width and motorised devices must not go faster than 25kmh.

Strong feedback from focus-group discussions raised concerns on the dangers of illegally-modified electric bicycles.

This is why the panel proposes that the Government consider registering such bicycles to facilitate identification and enforcement against errant riders.

The panel also called for stronger public education and enforcement efforts to raise public awareness on safety and to ensure adherence to rules.

“The Government should also continue to build dedicated cycling paths to further reduce conflict and improve safety,” said the report.

In a statement released on Thursday (March 17) by the Singapore Road Safety Council, chairman Mr Bernard Tay said:

“Beyond a set of clear and consistent rules, education and adoption of these rules is equally important.”

He added that the council will continue to improve safety on roads and work with the “various agencies to inculcate good safety practices amongst all road users”.

The Ministry of Transport said in another statement that it will study the panel’s recommendations and issue a response in due course.

Erklärung seitens eWheelz™

In Singapur wurde ein Ausschuss gebildelt, um Vorschläge für die Benutzung und Handhabung von persönlicher Mobilität zu entwickeln und um die Sicherheit auf den Strassen zu verbessern. Angeführt wird das 14-köpfige Team von Nee Soon, einem Parlamentsmitglied. Dieses Komitee hat nun empfohlen, dass Fahrräder und persönliche mobile Geräte (PMD) auf Gehwegen erlaubt werden sollen, aber mit einer Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung von 15 km/h. PMD bezieht sich auf eScooter, Hoverboards und elektrische Einräder. „Die Regierung sollte auch weiterhin spezielle Radwege bauen, um weitere Konflikte zu reduzieren und die Sicherheit zu verbessern“, so der Ausschuss. Dies sind erfreuliche Entwicklungen.

Government proposal to Parliament laws Vehicle Act, the Road Traffic Act and the Penal Code, Chapter 23 § 9 and 12 of the amending

Legality Question About Motorized Unicycles Causes Confusion

Elektronisches Einrad

Was ist eigentlich ein elektronisches Einrad? Diese Fahrzeuge bestehen aus einem Einzelrad mit seitlich montierten Trittflächen, das sich durch Gewichtsverlagerung steuern lässt. Erst bei einer Geschwindigkeit von 18 km/h erfolgt eine Abriegelung der Beschleunigung.

Das Einrad ist mit seiner integrierten elektronischen Balance-,     Antriebs-, Lenk- und Verzögerungstechnik mit einem Segway vergleichbar. Die Mobilitätshilfeverordnung, die den gesetzlichen Rahmen für die „Segways“ vorgibt, gilt jedoch nicht für „Airwheels“.

Es gelten die allgemeinen Bestimmungen der StVZO und FZV, sofern die bauartbedingte Höchstgeschwindigkeit mehr als 6 km/h beträgt. Da diese Fahrzeuge konstruktionsbedingt die Zulassungsvorschriften über Sitz, Lenkung, Bremsen, Beleuchtung, Spiegel etc. nicht erfüllen können, dürfen diese elektrischen Einräder nur im abgegrenzten nichtöffentlichen Verkehr bewegt werden.

Das sollten Sie wissen:

Die angebotenen Einräder haben eine bauartbedingte Höchstgeschwindigkeit über 6 km/h und müssen pflichtversichert werden. Eine solche Versicherung wird jedoch nicht angeboten. Wer dennoch im öffentlichen Verkehr fährt macht sich strafbar nach § 6 PflVersG!

Das Führen eines solchen Kraftfahrzeugs setzt außerdem eine Fahrerlaubnis der Klasse B voraus. Wer ohne diese Fahrerlaubnisklasse dennoch im öffentlichen Straßenraum damit fährt, begeht daher  zusätzlich eine Straftat nach § 21 StVG (Fahren ohne Fahrerlaubnis).

Schäden, die beim Betrieb des Einrades verursacht werden, sind nicht von der privaten Haftpflichtversicherung erfasst. Sach- oder Personenschäden muss der Fahrer daher aus eigener Tasche erstatten.

Erklärung seitens eWheelz™

Aktuell gelten in Deutschland die allgemeinen Bestimmungen der STVZO und FZV, sofern die bauartbedingte Höchstgeschwindigkeit des Fahrzeuges mehr als 6 km/h beträgt. Aufgrund der Tatsache, dass elektrische Einräder konstruktionsbedingt meistens weder die Zulassungsvorschrift über Sitz, Bremsen, Lenkung, Beleuchtung etc. erfüllen, dürfen diese nur im nichtöffentlichen Verkehr benutzt werden. Dabei muss das Areal abgegrenzt sein. Daher umgehen und lösen viele Händler und Hersteller das Problem, in dem sie einfach bei allen elektrischen Einrädern eine Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung von 6 km/h einbauen. Diese ist allerdings sehr einfach wieder zu entfernen und so wird dieser Trick wohl nicht mehr allzulange klappen. Ausserdem existiert momentan in Deutschland bei elektrischen Einrad Besitzern ein Trend ihr elektrisches Einrad bei einer Versicherung versichern zu lassen, obwohl dies bei einem Ernstfall gar nichts nützt. Die Versicherungen verkaufen fleissig Versicherungspakete und im Ernstfall wird dann einfach abgewiesen mit der Begründung, sie wären getäuscht worden, um was es sich für ein Gerät handelt. Denn das Problem ist folgendes, einem Produkt, welchem jegliche Zuordnung fehlt, kann auch kein Versicherungspacket geschnürrt werden. Das elektrische Einrad wird in Deutschland auch weiterhin noch nicht anerkannt.

Quelle réglementation pour les trottinettes électriques et les mono-roues ?

Lightweight electric vehicles to be legal in road traffic

Tiedote 17.09.2015 13.42
A legislative reform is to be submitted to parliament, which would allow the use of e.g. kickboards with electric engines and Segway type devices in road traffic. According to the legislation currently in place, the aforementioned vehicles can only be used in closed areas and indoors.

The government submitted a proposal on 17 September for amendments to the Vehicles Act and the Road Traffic Act. The government would like to see the legislative amendments enter into force as soon as possible, but no later than at the beginning of 2016.

In its present form, Finnish legislation does not recognise lightweight electrically powered vehicles, which include so-called senior scooters, self-balancing human transporters with one or more wheels and e-bikes. Finland can make decisions on these nationally.

Additionally, the proposed amendments would see to it that any overlapping Finnish and EU regulations that apply to the type approval and market surveillance of two and three wheeled vehicles and so-called 4 wheeled and vehicles used in farming and forestry are eliminated.

One of the changes will include the exclusion of the traffic tractor category that has been in use in Finland, but EU tractors that travel at higher speeds would be allowed in their place. Another change would include simplification of the registering process for individually built motor bikes.

No so-called additional administrative requirements will be set for lightweight electrically powered devices, i.e. their use will not require a driver’s licence, registration or roadworthiness tests. In this way, the legislative proposal will further the government programme target of doing away with norms and unburdening administrative load.

Lightweight devices that travel at a maximum speed of 15 km/h would be comparable to kickboards and roller skates, i.e. pedestrian traffic regulations would apply. The use of devices that assist or replace walking has thus far only been permitted for the disabled. This restriction would be eliminated.

The traffic regulations that apply to cyclists could also apply to larger transportation devices that travel at a maximum speed of 25 km/h, but self-balancing devices such as Segways may be used on pedestrian walkways, if they are driven at a walking pace.

Just as is the case with bicycles, these devices must be equipped with reflectors and a bell or horn. Just like cyclists, users of these devices must use a helmet. The use of a helmet shall be required for all ATVs that do not have a protective frame.

Further information:
Ms Maria Rautavirta, Senior Engineer, tel. +358 295 34 2564

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Erklärung seitens eWheelz™

In Finnland wurde eine Gesetzesreform dem Parlament vorgelegt, welches eine Verwendung von elektromotorbetriebenen Fahrzeugen im Strassenverkehr erlauben soll. Am 17. September legte die Regierung schliesslich einen Vorschlag zur Änderung des Fahrgesetzes und des Strassenverkehrgesetzes vor, welches im Frühjahr 2016 in Kraft tretten soll. Aktuell werden selbststabilisierende elektrische Einräder in Finnland nicht anerkannt! Sogenannte leichte Geräte, die mit einer maximalen Geschwindigkeit von 15 km/h unterwegs sind, seien vergleichbar mit Kickboards oder Rollschuhen. Eine Gesetzesänderung würde bedeuten, dass Fussgängervorschriften gelten gemacht werden würden. Aktuell ist eine Verwendung von Geräten, welche mit Füssen unterstützt oder ersetzt werden nur für Behinderte zugelassen. Deise Einschränkung würde somit beseitigt werden. Helm, Reflektoren, Glocke und Hupe wären ab sofort Pflicht, jedoch wären Führerschein, Zulassung und eine technische Überwachung nicht notwendig.

Legality Question About Motorized Unicycles Causes Confusion

Definition of a Motor Vehicle

The term ‘motor vehicle’ is defined in section 185(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and section 136(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as “a mechanically propelled vehicle, intended or adapted for use on roads”.

Although this is the legal definition, ultimately it is a matter of fact and degree for a court to interpret as to whether or not a vehicle is a motor vehicle at the time of the incident.

The term mechanically propelled vehicle is not defined in the Road Traffic Acts. It is ultimately a matter of fact and degree for the court to decide. At its most basic level it is a vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means. It can include both electrically and steam powered vehicles.

Intended or adapted for use on roadsis also not defined by statute and again ultimately a matter for the court to decide based on the evidence before it.

There has, however, been extensive case law on the subject and the main point that emerges is what is known as the reasonable man test as per the following cases:

Burns v Currell [1963] 2 All ER 297

B was found sitting in a go-kart. The kart had a rear-mounted engine, a tubular frame, a single seat, silencer, steering wheel and column, but had no handbrake, horn, springs, driving mirror or wings. There was evidence that B had only used the go-kart on the unadopted road once. He was convicted and he appealed on the grounds that the go-kart was not intended or adapted for use on roads and was thus not a motor vehicle to which the regulations applied.

The Appeal was allowed and the conviction was quashed. The test to be adopted was the ‘reasonable man test’. There must be sufficient evidence before the justices to prove beyond reasonable doubt that such a ‘reasonable man’ looking at the go-kart would say that one of its uses would be a use on the road.

DPP v Saddington Times 1.11.2000

S drove an unregistered motorised scooter called a ‘Go-Ped’ on a road whilst disqualified and uninsured. The vehicle had a 22.5cc engine and was definitely a mechanically propelled machine. However, to prove the two most serious offences, the machine also had to be a motor vehicle, i.e. a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on a road.

At the hearing the magistrates found that the ‘Go-Ped’ fell far below statutory standards and would not satisfy road traffic legislation relating to motor vehicles. They decided that the vehicle was not a motor vehicle. The DPP appealed by way of case stated and also asked the Court to declare that the machine was a motor vehicle.

The courts held that the Go-Ped was a motor vehicle.

DPP v King [2008] EWHC 447 (Admin)

K was stopped by police whilst riding a ‘City Mantis’ electric scooter on a public road. The scooter looked like a bicycle except that it did not have any pedals or other means of manual propulsion and it was capable of speeds up to 10 miles per hour. K was charged with driving a motor vehicle whilst disqualified and with no insurance.

At trial the issue arose regarding whether the scooter was a motor vehicle. K was acquitted and the case was passed to the High Court following the decision of the trial judge for definitive determination of whether a ‘City Mantis’ electric scooter was a motor vehicle as defined in the 1988 Act. The Appeal was allowed and the case was remitted with a direction to convict. The scooter was a motor vehicle according to section 185 of the 1988 Act.

Erklärung seitens eWheelz™

In Grossbritannien schreibt die Staatsanwaltschaft, dass nur ein Gericht darüber entscheiden könne, ob ein Fahrzeug ein Kraftfahrzeug ist oder nicht ist. Das ein elektrische Einrad ein Elektromotor als Basis habe, sei kein Schutz vor einer Einstufung als Kraftfahrzeug. Aktuell existiert keine Gesetzesgebung, welche eine Verwendung von elektrischen Einrädern auf öffentlichen Strassen erlaubt. Die momentane Situation ist sehr beunruhigend für alle Britten, denn es muss nur ein Unfall durch ein elektrisches Einrad geschehen, welcher vor Gericht landet und dann könnte es sehr schwierig werden. Ein Beispiel eines Konflikts gefällig? Kraftfahrzeuge haben auf Fusswegen nichts verloren.

LCQ14: Regulation of electric unicycles

Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (May 6):

Question:

Some members of the public have relayed to me that on a number of occasions recently, they saw people riding electric unicycles on pavements and cycle tracks. It is learnt that some electric unicycles, after being charged for an hour, can travel 25 kilometres at a maximum speed of 16 kilometres per hour, and members of the public can purchase electric unicycles at certain shopping malls and online shopping web sites. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) given that the interpretation of a “motor vehicle” under the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) is “any mechanically propelled vehicle”, whether an electric unicycle is a motor vehicle as defined by the Ordinance;

(2) of the respective numbers of cases in which the authorities issued verbal warnings to and instituted prosecutions against people who had contravened the relevant legislation for riding electric unicycles, as well as the number of traffic accidents involving electric unicycles, in the past two years;

(3) whether, in the past two years, the authorities looked into the sales situation of electric unicycles on the Internet and in the market, and whether the relevant government departments took any law enforcement actions; and

(4) whether it has found out which major world cities where it is legal to ride electric unicycles on the roads at present; given that due to their increasingly good quality and reasonable prices, light and convenient means of transport such as electric unicycles have become more popular worldwide, whether the authorities will make reference to the experience of the transport authorities overseas and consider amending the legislation to permit the use of light and convenient means of transport such as electric unicycles on the roads in Hong Kong subject to compliance with conditions such as specified safety requirements and speed restrictions; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

My reply to the various parts of the Hon Frederick Fung’s question is as follows:

(1) and (4) Electric unicycles are mechanically propelled. According to the Road Traffic Ordinance (Chapter 374) (the Ordinance), “motor vehicles” are defined as any mechanically propelled vehicles. As such, electric unicycles could belong to the category of “motor vehicles”.

In order to be registered and licensed in Hong Kong, any motor vehicle must belong to a class of vehicles specified in Schedule 1 to the Ordinance. At present, electric unicycles do not belong to any of the classes of vehicles specified in Schedule 1, hence they cannot be registered and licensed.

Since the construction and operation of electric unicycles could pose danger to the users themselves and other road users, the Government has no plan at this stage to amend Schedule 1 to the Ordinance to permit the registration and licensing of electric unicycles.

As for the regulation of electric unicycles in other cities, generally speaking, overseas cities do not allow unregistered and unlicensed vehicles to be driven on roads. According to the preliminary information gathered by the Transport Department, it has not found any overseas cities specifying that electric unicycles can be used on roads.

(2) The Police do not keep any record on the number of verbal warnings issued and prosecutions made against driving electric unicycles on roads, nor traffic accident figures involving electric unicycles.

(3) There is currently no legislation in Hong Kong prohibiting the sale of electric unicycles on the Internet or in the market. Although electric unicycles cannot be registered and licensed (see the reply to Parts 1 and 4) and hence cannot be driven on roads, the Government is aware that electric unicycles can be used indoor or on other non-road places.

Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Issued at HKT 14:45

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Erklärung seitens eWheelz™

John Eucist, ein Enthusiast, veröffentlichte am 25. Juni 2015 ein Update zur aktuellen Lage in Hongkong. Sein Artikel beschreibt die Reaktion der hongkonger Regierung auf eine Anfrage über die Regulierung von elektrischen Einrädern. Die Antwort stammt vom Sekretär für Verkehr und Wohnungsbau Prof. Anthony Cheung Bing-Leung. Dieser erklärt, dass elektrische Einräder mechanisch angetriebene Fahrzeuge seien und deshalb eine Registrierung und Lizensierung benötigen würden, über welche sie aktuell nicht verfügen, da sie in den Gesetzen von Hongkong nicht beachtet werden. Ausserdem weist er darauf hin, das elektrische Einräder eine Gefahr für Benutzer und Verkehrsteilnehmer darstellen könnten und deshalb die Regierung von Hongkong aktuell keine Pläne habe, eine Änderung bezüglich einer Registrierung und Lizensierung von elektrischen Einrädern zu ermöglichen. In Hongkong werden elektrische Einradbesitzer somit wohl auch weiterhin auf eine Anerkennung seitens der Regierung und des Gesetzes warten müssen.

Bundesrat beschliesst Erleichterungen für gewisse Elektrofahrzeuge

Bern, 15.04.2015 – Der Bundesrat hat heute die technischen Bestimmungen und Verkehrsregeln für Fahrzeuge wie Elektro-Stehroller oder Elektro-Rikschas angepasst. Mit den entsprechenden Erleichterungen kann den neuartigen Fahrzeugen besser Rechnung getragen werden. Die Verordnungsänderungen treten auf Anfang Juni 2015 in Kraft.

Erklärung seitens eWheelz™

Es handelt sich hierbei um ein Dokument, dass für sich betrachtet den falschen Rückschluss zulässt. Die elektrischen Einräder werden ab dem 01.06.2015 im Strassenverkehr den Fahrrädern gleich gesetzt, zudem sind die elektrische Einräder aktuell in der Schweiz zulassungs- & versicherungspflichtig. Bei der Typprüfung werden die elektrische Einrädern, als Unterkategorie der Motorfahrräder behandelt. Aktuell erfüllt jedoch kein einziges Produkt die strengen und zukunftsorientierten Anforderungen der Schweiz. Da es dies also nicht gibt, werden auch diese Regelungen nicht anwendbar und somit ist das elektrische Einrad weiterhin im Strassenverkehr nicht anerkannt! Es werden hierbei jedoch klare Signale in Richtung Hersteller gesendet und man kann erahnen wohin das Ganze führt. Europaweit werden die elektrischen Einräder unterschiedlich behandelt und sind in einigen Ländern teilweise für den Strassenverkehr zugelassen. Es finden momentan viele Abstimmungen statt, wie europaweit elektrische Einräder standardisiert werden und im Strassenverkehr teilnehmen können. Hierzu gilt es erstmal abzuwarten.

Electric unicycles catching on, users hope rules can be relaxed

Mr Rick Tan has been drawing stares from strangers on his commute to and from work the last 10 months.

The reason: his ride, an electric unicycle that is a curious hybrid between the pedal-driven, single-wheel cycle and the motorised Segway vehicle.

The sight of Mr Tan, 43, an IT manager, straddling a single wheel upright and gliding hands-free through crowds is a vision of the future of travel that has arrived.

And he is not alone in turning to the one-wheel wonder as an alternative to the crowded public transport system here.

While electric unicycles are not allowed on roads, parks and park connectors and the authorities frown on their use on pavements, the battery-powered vehicles are nonetheless catching on here, say retailers.

Its users have been spotted riding them on various occasions such as getting around large office buildings or on grocery runs.

Its growing popularity here follows the rise of electric unicycles in countries such as China and Australia. A postal delivery company in Britain has even allowed its postmen to deliver mail on electric unicycles to increase efficiency.

While it may take practice for riders to find their balance on the vehicle, users praise it for being nimble, environmentally friendly and, yes, cool-looking.

Mr Tan, who has been zipping down pavements on an electric unicycle since last February to get from his Boon Keng estate flat to his office in Beach Road, says: “I used to take the MRT but I didn’t like squeezing with everyone else. I also get to work in 20 minutes instead of 25 minutes by MRT.”

He adds of the stares: “People do look at me and I usually just smile back at them.”

Marketing manager Chia Tien-yao, 37, who rides one when he travels short distances such as from his office to the MRT station or bus stop, says: “The unicycle is convenient and portable. I wouldn’t be able to take most bicycles onboard public transport, but with electric unicycles, it’s no problem at all.”

Electric unicycles come without steering handles and they rely on a device known as a gyroscope for orientation and balance. Users can move forward and backward or turn left and right by leaning their bodies a little in the desired direction.

An electric unicycle from American brand Solowheel, for example, can travel at speeds of up to 16kmh, more than three times a person’s average walking speed. It weighs about 11kg and can carry loads of up to 113kg, as well as ascend slopes with an incline of 15 degrees.

Finding one’s balance on the unicycle, though, can take more than a few tries.

Mr Alvin Chan, 43, a senior manager at a country club, took three days to learn to balance on the vehicle.

He says : “At first, I often lost my balance and suffered several cuts to my ankles. But after a total of six hours of practice, I never fell again.”

He adds: “I like that I don’t need to use my hands to control the unicycle. This way, while riding, I can use my hands to carry groceries or my iPad.”

These vehicles, however, do not come cheap. Available in retail shops and online stores, they are priced from $500 to more than $2,500. A folding bicycle, in comparison, sells for about $200.

The high price tag has not stalled sales.

Mr Thomas Hoon, 37, a distributor of electric unicycles since 2013, says he receives between 30 and 40 inquiries a month.

The growing number of electric unicyclists has also led to the formation of an interest group, The Wheelies.

Mr Hoon co-founded the group with three other enthusiasts and it organises outings on electric unicycles two to three times a week to places such as the Marina Barrage, Haw Par Villa and Sentosa. Each outing draws about 15 people between the ages of 25 and 42.

The greater usage, however, runs headlong into safety regulations barring them from parks, park connectors and roads here.

The director of parks at the National Parks Board, Ms Kartini Omar, says: “Motorised electric vehicles can reach high speeds. Signs in our parks and along our park connectors have been put up to advise and remind the public against the use of such vehicles.”

Those found using the vehicles in NParks parks and park connectors may be liable to a fine of up to $5,000.

While there are no regulations against using electric unicycles on public pavements, a police spokesman says: “Singapore’s footways are not wide enough for shared purposes. The risk of collision, resulting in serious injuries to the users as well as pedestrians, is significant.”

Users found guilty of causing hurt to pedestrians may be jailed for a year and/or fined $5,000.

And while the electric unicycle is allowed to be brought on board public buses and trains during non-peak periods, a spokesman for the Land Transport Authority says bus drivers can bar the vehicle from being carried on board if they deem it likely to cause obstruction, discomfort or injury to any passenger.

The spokesman adds: “Cyclists are required to wrap the pedals, handle bars and other protruding parts of the unicycle at all times to prevent injury to other commuters.”

Mr Hoon says most users know the rules, although some feel they may be too restrictive.

He says: “As a group, we follow etiquette on using electric unicycles safely. For example, we always call out to pedestrians to make sure they are aware of our presence before we overtake them.”

He adds: “The Wheelies will continue to engage the relevant authorities on the use of electric unicycles in Singapore. We hope that one day, we will be able to ride them in parks and park connectors.”

Erklärung seitens eWheelz™

In Singapur gewinnen die elektrischen Einräder immer mehr an Popularität. Während einerseits zwar bemängelt wird, dass man erst Praxis brauche, um damit fahren zu können, wird andererseits gelobt, wie flink, umweltfreundlich und praktisch ein elektrisches Einrad im Alltag sein könne. Aktuell gibt es keine Vorschriften gegen eine Verwendung von elektrischen Einrädern auf öffentlichen Gehwegen, allerdings werden Unfälle, welche durch elektrische Einräder verursacht werden, sehr sehr hart bestraft, beispielsweise durch Haftsstrafen von der Dauer eines Jahres. Es wird bemängelt, dass elektrische Einräder Beschwerden, Verletzungen und Behinderung des öffentlichen Verkehrs verursachen können. Eine Gruppe namens The Wheelies bemüht sich darum, die Verwendung von elektrischen Einrädern in Singapur zu ermöglichen.

Journey ends for self-balancing electric scooters

Beijing has started to regulate electric self-balancing scooters after Shanghai and several other major cities recently prohibited their use on roads.

Traffic police required a man riding a self-balancing scooter to stop and only use it in private areas instead of on roads during a crackdown on traffic violations on Dec 18, indicating the riding of such vehicles is not allowed in the capital.

In addition to electric self-balancing vehicles, electric skateboards are also forbidden in Beijing.

Electric self-balancing scooters have grown popular among residents who use them on roads for commuting and leisure.

Users control the vehicles by shifting their weight forward or backward on the platform to make them move or stop. Some of the vehicles are capable of speeds up to 20 kilometers per hour.

Electric self-balancing scooters can be classified as motor vehicles and should be registered with the traffic authority, and a license should be obtained, before they can be used on the roads, traffic police said in the Mirror, a Beijing newspaper.

Many other major cities, such as Shanghai, Chongqing and Wuhan, have recently released government announcements prohibiting electric self-balancing scooters on roads because of the safety risks to riders as well as others. The rapid speed, unstable control and frequent cutting in and out of traffic lanes have become a major threat to orderly and safe traffic flow.

Users who violate the ban face a fine of at least 20 yuan ($3.2), the Shanghai municipal government announced through its official micro blog on Dec 13.

Wuhan, in Hubei province, issued a similar ban that took effect on Saturday.

In an accident, riders will have to pay for repairs or damage because they are not covered by insurance. Victims involved in a collision with the scooters have little redress since they are often unlicensed and cannot be identified by any official document.

Zhang Jinfang, a 27-year-old Beijing resident who works at a research institution in Beijing, supports the ban.

“It looks awesome and is a convenient way of beating the traffic congestion,” Zhang said, adding that she borrowed an electronic balancing unicycle from friends in April.

“But it’s hard to control it and make it stop without a brake lever,” she said. “Besides, it made me nervous when there were lots of people about.”

Many users expressed similar worries, but for some people they are tools for their job rather than a toy for grown-ups.

“Self-balancing scooters are essential for our jobs,” said a man surnamed Zhang who works as a designated driver in Beijing. He said they are easy to carry and are allowed on buses and also fit in the trunk of a car.

He said that one of his colleagues broke a leg when a stone on the road made him fall off.

“I will drive slowly, but I cannot give it up, since it’s always late after I have finished driving and a long way to find a bus,” he said.

Many shopping malls and urban police in cities such as Beijing and Guiyang, in Guizhou province, have adopted electric self-balancing scooters for patrols to respond to emergencies more quickly and efficiently.

Erklärung seitens eWheelz™

In China wurden die Behörden auf die neuen elektrischen Einräder aufmerksam und haben angefangen diese zu regulieren. Unglücklicherweise hat dies dazu geführt, dass bereits in vielen chinesischen Städten das Fahren eines elektrischen Einrades ganz verboten wurde, wie beispielsweise in Peking, Shanghai und Wuhan. Die elektrischen Einräder wurden als Kraftfahrzeuge eingestuft und müssen registriert und lizensiert werden, bevor man damit auf öffentlichen Strassen unterwegs sein darf. Es wird damit argumentiert, dass die schnelle Geschwindigkeit und instabile Kontrolle eines solchen Gefährts eine grosse Bedrohung für den sicheren und geordneten Verkehrsfluss bedeuten könne.