THE government’s move to ban micro-mobility vehicles will significantly affect the disabled community, which depends on this mode of transport to get around, the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said.

It said the restrictions introduced by new regulations reflect limited understanding and lack of consultation with the disabled community.

Centre chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib wanted to know if the disabled community was consulted in any way.

“These policies will significantly affect the disabled community, which depend on these devices for their mobility.

“Living with a disability is a fact of life for many Malaysians. Personal mobility is something that the able-bodied often take for granted,” he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said that micro-mobility vehicles such as mopeds, personal mobility devices (PMD) and personal mobility aids (PMA) are not allowed on public roads.

Mopeds can travel up to 50km/h, while PMD and PMA can only reach speeds of 25km/h.

Wee said the ban on these vehicles was in accordance with the Road Traffic (Prohibition of Use of Certain Micromobility Vehicles) Rules 2021, which came into force on December 17.

Azrul said that for a person with disabilities, particularly those with impaired movement, the ability to move independently, without assistance from others, and to participate in social activities, is vital for better health and improved quality of life.

“Wheelchairs are not only used indoors, but also outdoors. The reality of roads, city planning, and public transport in Malaysia is far from ideal.

“Not all persons with disability have access to private vehicles that are adapted for their use to get from point A to B. They often depend on themselves.”

He said that people with disabilities use PMDs to get to nearby shops, cafes and malls.

“They are often forced to use the road for their travel, as walkways and pavements in Malaysia are frequently not disabled friendly.

“They can be high, without slopes for access, and the surfaces can even be hazardous and dangerous for movement of wheelchairs and other personal mobility devices due to broken and unrepaired surfaces, as well as ongoing construction. A road surface is likely to be safer.”

Azrul added that that many cities including Kuala Lumpur were not pedestrian friendly, much less disabled-accessible.

“Anyone who is a frequent user of the pavements and walkways in the Klang Valley, can empathise and agree that even in places like Brickfields, the disabled cannot use wheelchairs on pavements even if they wanted.

“Ironically, the new legislation appears to ban PMAs from pedestrian crossings and overhead walkways, which are equipped with lifts and designed to be disabled friendly.”

“Older adults also choose to use PMAs. They reduce pain, and increase confidence and self-esteem.” – April 27, 2022.