'You have been warned previously': Punggol cracks down on active mobility offences, 5 devices impounded

Punggol is keeping up the heat on active mobility offences to keep its young population safe.

In a Facebook post on Monday (March 30), Punggol Neighbourhood Police Centre said it conducted a joint enforcement operation against active mobility offences with the Land Transport Authority.

A total of 11 offences under the Active Mobility Act were detected during the four-day operation, including riding non-compliant personal mobility devices and power-assisted bicycles, riding bicycles without mandatory handbrake and registration-related violations.

Five non-compliant active mobility devices were also impounded during the operation.

The "targeted operation" across Punggol, conducted between March 16 and 19, included hotspots such as Punggol Town Square and Lor Halus Red Bridge.

"You have been warned previously and we are serious about keeping our streets safe!" the police said in the post.

As a new HDB town, Punggol is among planning areas in Singapore with the highest proportion of residents below five years old.

In January, a police officer responding to a case of noise disturbance at a HDB precinct along Punggol Road, ended up with nearly 20 stitches on his face, allegedly caused by a male teenager dragging him for some distance while fleeing.

Residents there told AsiaOne that incidents involving rowdy teenagers and their active mobility devices are a common sight.

"We take a firm stance against those who endanger public safety and contravene the law," said the police, adding that enforcement action will be taken against such offenders.

They also warned those who may run afoul of the law that they will keep up with such joint operations with other agencies to keep Punggol a "secure and safe" neighbourhood.

From June, users of personal mobility scooters will have to obtain a certificate of medical need. 

The speed limit for personal mobility aids on public paths will be reduced to 6kmh from 10kmh. Registration of mobility scooters will also be mandatory, with all devices to be registered by 2029. 

Members of the public who encounter errant active mobility users can report them online at go.gov.sg/report-am. 

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