[Seal of approval: Motorised bicycles approved for use will be affixed with a seal (above left), which will show they comply with the technical requirements.]

['OK' to ride: An approved motorised bicycle (above) should resemble a conventional pedal bicycle, and not a motorcycle.]

By Teh Joo Lin

A CRACKDOWN has begun on motorised bicycle riders who break the safety rules.

Over two weeks from Oct 12 to 23, the authorities handed out 310 summonses, especially to those who did not wear helmets or zipped around on unapproved bicycles.

No further details of the types of infringements or those who were caught were given.

The joint operation by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the police was held in Geylang, Balestier, Boon Keng, Kallang, Serangoon, Eunos, Jurong and Changi, the two agencies said in a joint statement yesterday.

According to rules announced in 2004, motorised bicycle riders must be at least 16 years old, must wear helmets, and the motor must cut out once the bicycle hits 25kmh, or when the rider stops pedalling.

The LTA uncovered six shops selling unapproved bikes in the first nine months of this year, a spokesman said in response to queries. Last year, just one shop was caught.

Last week, The Straits Times reported that motorised bicycle riders were flagrantly flouting the rules and going at higher speeds. They also did not wear helmets.

Under the rules, the bicycle must resemble a conventional pedal bicycle and have a maximum power output of 200 watts. It must run on electricity only.

Checks with shops found that unapproved bicycles are popular because they are bigger, can carry more and travel at higher speeds. Their prices - between $800 and $1,500 - are comparable to the approved models.

A motorised bicycle seller said he sold them because his customers - mainly the elderly - preferred models where the motor chugged on even when they stopped pedalling, a big plus for going up slopes.

Users include housewives who use them to get to the market or take the children to school, and hawkers carrying supplies.

To ensure they comply with the technical standards, motorised bicycles used here must be approved by the LTA and carry its seal of approval. The authorities warned shop owners against selling unapproved bicycles and reminded cyclists not to buy them.

Riders who use unapproved bicycles, and those who break the safety rules, can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to three months. Sellers of illegal bicycles face the same penalty.

Potential buyers who are unclear of the technical requirements can call 1800-CALL-LTA.

joolin@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.