MoT Launches National Regulatory Ground Test For Micromobility vehicles

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has announced the National Regulatory Ground Test for micromobility vehicles for the operation of the vehicle.

According to Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Deputy Transport Minister, the implementation of the ground test is aimed at monitoring the operational feasibility of using micromobility vehicles in terms of enforcement, licencing, and infrastructure usability based on the guidelines prepared.

"This ground test initiative will be carried out in areas where appropriate infrastructure has been provided as outlined in the PLANMalaysia Planning Guidelines.

The MoT worked with a number of stakeholders to establish protocols while developing the scope of the ground test facility with the road transport department (JPJ) and the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute (MIROS). The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Futurise, the Malaysian Micromobility User Association (PPMM), the Malaysia Electric Micromobility Industry Association (MEMI), and micromobility vehicle service operator companies such as Beam, Tryke, and OoGyaa are among those who contributed to the guidelines' development.

Micromobility vehicles, such as e-scooters, according to Hasbi, are a type of transportation that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and be used as a "first and last mile" link to ensure public transportation connectivity in an effort to reduce road congestion. "Nevertheless, we also need to pay attention to the safety aspect since the use of this vehicle on the road is very risky because it is used in an area with 'mixed traffic' while having speed limit differences that are not specially built for other motor vehicles.

The MoT's implementation of the test facility is a follow-up action to the announcement last year that certain micromobility vehicles would be prohibited from being used on public roads. Mopeds, personal mobility aids (such as motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters), and personal mobility devices were all prohibited (i.e. e-scooters, hoverboards, skateboards, kick scooters).