Mayor: Ride at your own risk
Council warns tourists about e-bike hazards in George Town
Visitors who roam the heritage enclave here on electric bikes are riding at their own risk, warns the Penang Island City Council.
Its mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said any motor vehicle would require a valid Vehicle Type Approval certificate serial number from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) before being allowed on the road.
He said the bicycle rental operators here were only licensed to rent out two-wheeled bicycle equipped with pedals and powered by a 250W motor that did not exceed the 25kph speed limit.
“The council can only monitor the licensing and business operations.
“We can revoke the business licence if there is evidence to show that the operator has rented out the two-wheeled electric machines to tourists,” Yew said.
He said the council would discuss with JPJ soon on the need for new regulations on electric bikes.
In recent years, the use of electric bicycles and bikes to explore the city has gained popularity among tourists due to their affordability and convenience.
However, the vehicles with silent-running motors travelling alongside other vehicles on the road have raised safety concerns, especially when no safety measures were taken by users.
A check on the JPJ’s website showed that electric bikes can only be used on private property.
This is due to the difference in the maximum speed of electric bicycles with other vehicles that can have various implications on the road.
Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi said visitors exploring the heritage enclave on rented bicycles had been advised to wear helmets and other safety gear.
Gooi said the increased usage of electric bicycles and bikes had led to riders reaching faster speeds than pedalling.
“The operators should provide riders with helmets.
“Since electric bicycles and bikes roll fast and silently, it can pose a threat to pedestrians,” he said.
A bicycle rental operator, who only wished to be known as Mok, said she was aware that electric bikes were banned on the road.
“That is why I did not follow suit when some operators started to bring in electric bikes.
“I do not wish to take the risk,” said Mok, who owns four electric bicycles among some 50 other ordinary bicycles for rent at her shop.
She said the high maintenance was another factor why she was not keen on renting out such bicycles.
“Two out of four broke down and I cannot find replacement parts to fix them.
“Due to the high cost of operation, I have to charge customers RM20 per hour as compared to just RM5 for three hours for normal bicycles,” she said.
In 2017, the council issued notices to operators prohibiting rental of quadricycles, citing safety as the main concern. There were about 25 quadricycle operators here.