The government should establish clear traffic laws managing electric bikes and motorized scooters, as these increasingly popular forms of transportation are poorly regulated and have been involved in many accidents and liability disputes, the Consumers’ Foundation said today.
These electric modes of transportation are environmentally friendly, but current traffic laws managing them are incomplete, foundation chair Teng Wei-chung (鄧惟中) said.
Riders do not know which rules to follow while on the road, and are unsure of liability when accidents occur, Teng said.
Photo: CNA
Taiwan’s current traffic laws are falling behind, foundation vice chair Chen Ju-yin (陳汝吟) said.
She cited an example of a person riding a motorized scooter to work who accidentally hit a senior citizen.
They were subsequently fined NT$1,200 under the regulation that “slow vehicles are not allowed on the road,” she said.
The commuter may have lacked knowledge of traffic regulations, but the laws are unclear, and the senior’s family wondered why stores can sell these scooters if they are not technically allowed on the road, she said.
While the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) defines “personal mobility devices” and authorizes local governments to regulate licensing and road usage, almost no local authorities have issued regulations, foundation secretary-general Chen Ya-ping (陳雅萍) said.
Police rarely issue fines when users of e-bikes and motorized scooters contravene regulations, and there is no insurance to help users in case of accidents, Chen Ya-ping said.
Authorities should clearly regulate motorized scooters by setting speed limits, equipment standards for lights and brakes, and legal road sections, she said.
She also called for stronger enforcement of licensing and insurance checks for small electric two-wheelers.
Authorities should legally require cyclists to wear helmets and enforce nighttime light inspections, she said.
Chen Ya-ping also called for a review of traffic signs to prevent lane conflict with motorcycles, and for police to strictly enforce contraventions by bicycles and electric vehicles.
This should be combined with educational campaigns, publication of accident statistics and liability analyses, so that people can evaluate the effectiveness of the policies, she said.
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