He now wears helmet and gloves

He now wears helmet and gloves

He used to wear a cap on the 14km commute from his home in Yishun to Paya Lebar on his electric scooter (e-scooter).

But an accident last year changed the attitude of the e-scooter shop after-sales customer care executive, who wanted to be known only as Mr Arif.

Now, the 43-year-old has become a safety advocate to his clients and wears a helmet when he rides.

"I used to think it was safe (to not wear a helmet) because I don't go very fast," Mr Arif told The New Paper yesterday

The issue of safe riding was thrust into the spotlight following the death of an e-scooter rider over the weekend. Mr Sam Koh, 23, fell off his scooter in the wee hours of Saturday and died the next day from serious head injuries. (See report on facing page.)

He was not wearing a helmet at the time.

The accident at Marina East Park Connector reminded Mr Arif of his own accident in March last year.

SOBERING

To him, it was a sobering reminder to never be complacent, no matter how many times he has travelled on a particular road.

That night, Mr Arif was on his e-scooter going home after work when he hit a kerb along Lentor Road.

"I didn't notice the kerb. I hit it and my wheel got stuck."

The impact was so great, Mr Arif was thrown off his e-scooter.

"I fell sideways and my face hit the ground.

"It was bleeding so badly that I didn't dare look at my face," he said.

His colleague, who was on an e-scooter behind him, helped him and called the emergency services.

Mr Arif was taken to the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

He fractured his right arm and has a cut above his right temple. The cut is now a scar.

After that accident, Mr Arif has improved his safety gear.

He now wears a helmet and has more bright lights installed on his e-scooter - two in front and one at the rear. He even wears gloves.

Mr Arif explained: "Safety and stability while riding is now my utmost priority."

He now shares this story often with his customers, hoping they stay safe while riding their e-scooters.


This article was first published on March 23, 2016.
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