E-scooters are no longer allowed on the roads from January 2021 onwards

The Kuala Lumpur Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department have announced that from 1st January 2021, police will be able to impose legal action against individuals riding electric scooters (e-scooters) on the road, reports Bernama.

Department chief ACP Zulkefly Yahya said that the decision was made due to the constant complains his department has received from the public about e-scooter riders on the road.

"E-scooters are not allowed to be used on the road, and it is a nuisance for other road users, besides being dangerous as it could cause accidents,” he told media outlets.

From January onwards, e-scooters are only allowed in gazetted areas like playgrounds and permitted areas around shopping centres.

In the event a rider wants to ride on the roads, the rider will need to apply for a special license from the director-general of the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Currently, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) have only been warning riders against riding on the roads.

Come January, apart from imposing fines, action will be taken under the Road Transport Act if a rider is caught riding on the roads and outside of the gazetted areas.

E-scooters have become a popular mode of transport since May, especially around the Dataran Merdeka, KLCC, and Bukit Bintang area, as it is easily available and a convenient way for pedestrians to travel from one area to another.