{"id":31386,"date":"2026-02-24T23:34:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T15:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=31386"},"modified":"2026-02-24T23:34:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T15:34:38","slug":"lta-seizes-illegal-mobility-devices-aided-by-new-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=31386","title":{"rendered":"LTA seizes illegal mobility devices aided by new tech"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SINGAPORE \u2013 A shop suspected of selling non-compliant active mobility devices (AMDs) in an industrial area in Woodlands was raided by Land Transport Authority (LTA) officers on Feb 23. <\/p>\n

At the same time, a separate team of\u00a0officers stopped AMD users on a footpath in Admiralty to conduct checks on their devices. <\/p>\n

By the end of the operations \u2013 which The Straits Times was invited to observe \u2013 19 illegal AMDs were seized, and LTA said it had detected 36 offences\u00a0at both locations.<\/p>\n

The offences included the display of non-compliant power-assisted bicycles (PABs), or e-bikes, for sale at the shop. On the footpath, officers confiscated AMDs that were non-compliant or unregistered, and those that had no or missing number plates. <\/p>\n

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LTA enforcement officers weighing a power-assisted bicycle during an enforcement operation in Admiralty on Feb 23. The e-bike was found to be 96.4kg, over the allowed maximum of 20kg.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Singapore, AMDs governed under the Active Mobility Act include PABs, personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick-scooters and electric scooters, and personal mobility aids (PMAs) like motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters for people with walking difficulties. <\/p>\n

Of the\u00a019\u00a0AMDs impounded on Feb 23, five were detected with the help of <\/p>\n

LTA\u2019s new speed measurement device<\/p>\n

<\/a>. The device, which LTA worked with Temasek Polytechnic to design, can test an AMD\u2019s top speed when it is stationary. <\/p>\n

Previously, enforcement action against speeding AMDs could be taken only when they were caught in the act, but not when they were stationary. <\/p>\n

The speed measurement device has strengthened enforcement against illegally modified devices that exceed speed limits, LTA said. <\/p>\n

Since it was deployed in November 2025, the device has contributed to the detection of over 100 offences and helped officers impound 30 non-compliant devices. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe will continue to refine and improve the speed measurement device with Temasek Polytechnic, as we collect more feedback from the officers,\u201d LTA said. <\/p>\n

In Singapore, the speeds of AMDs such as e-scooters and PABs are capped at 25kmh. From June 1, the speed limit of PMAs on public paths will go down from 10kmh to 6kmh. <\/p>\n

About 900 non-compliant mobility devices were seized in 2025, LTA said on Feb 24. That year, it recorded some 900 offences related to non-compliant mobility devices. <\/p>\n

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Non-compliant active mobility devices confiscated by LTA seen on a tow truck after enforcement operations in Admiralty on Feb 23.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another 90 offences involving retailers were also logged in 2025, LTA said. <\/p>\n

Such non-compliant devices pose severe fire risks. In 2025, there were 49 fires involving mobility devices. <\/p>\n

In 2024, 67 fires involved mobility devices, up from 55 in 2023 and 42 in 2022. There were 63 fires involving mobility devices in 2021 and 68 in 2020.<\/p>\n

Common illegal modifications of AMDs include the changing of electrical parts such as the battery and electric motor with third-party or non-original versions, LTA said. <\/p>\n

Such modifications void the device\u2019s safety certification and significantly increase the risk of fire. <\/p>\n