Electric Bikes – MIROS wants your views!

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) is inviting members of the public and industry to give their written views, comments and feedbacks on whether and how electric bicycles should be regulated in Malaysia.

This feedback would be useful for the nation in the study that MIROS is currently conducting in order to make proposals on how to regulate the use of electric bicycles. The possible use of electric bicycles in Malaysia involves multiple sectors such as road safety, green technology, specification standards, the extent of regulations (for example registration, licensing, training, insurance and law enforcement) and socio-economic factors, to name a few. The outcome of this public consultation could have significant implications for consumers and industry.

Electric bikes are set to arrive in due time.

MIROS therefore seeks feedback from the public and industry on the aforesaid matters and in particular, the following:

1. According to your understanding:
   1. What is a bicycle?
   2. What is an electric bicycle?
   3. How should we differentiate an electric bicycle from a motorcycle?
2. Should there be a clear definition of “electric bicycle” in the law?
   1. If yes, why? (Please provide reasons for your views)
   2. If no, why not? (Please provide reasons for your views)
3. Whether electric bicycles should be allowed in Malaysia?
   1. If yes, why? (Please provide reasons for your views)
   2. If no, why not? (Please provide reasons for your views)
4. If electric bicycles are to be allowed in Malaysia:
   1. What type of electric bicycles should be permitted and what specification standards (for example, speed, battery type, lights etc) should be applicable? (Please provide the reasons and basis for your views)
   2. Should any other aspects of the industry be regulated?
   3. Should the use and operation of electric bicycles be regulated?
      1. If yes:
         1. what aspects of their use and operation should be regulated? (Please provide reasons for your views)
         2. to what extent should they be regulated? (Please provide reasons for your views)
         3. in what way should they be regulated? (Please provide reasons for your views)
      2. If you think electric bicycles should not be regulated please also provide the basis for your views.
5. What are your views, if any, in respect of the following regarding electric bicycles:
   1. Road safety in respect of:
      1. The individual electric bicycle rider ( i.e. electric cyclist)
      2. How the presence of the electric cyclist on the road might influence the safety of other road users; and
      3. Bicycles being powered by electricity instead of human power
   2. Environmental impact
   3. Socio-economic issues
6. Are you a user of electric bicycles?Are any of your family members an electric bicycle user?
7. Are any of your family members an electric bicycle user?

Comments can be sent to MIROS by email to eletricbicycle@miros.gov.my or by hard copy addressed to Nurmaizah Jamsuri at MIROS at:

Lots 125 – 135,
Jalan TKS 1,
Taman Kajang Sentral,
43000 Kajang, Selangor

Enquiries regarding this study can also be directed to:

Karen Goonting (karen@miros.gov.my )
Head,
Human Factors & Accident Costing,
Road User Behavioural Change Research Centre, MIROS
Tel: 03 – 8924 9200 (GL) or 03 – 8924 9311 (DL)
Mobile: 012 – 389 3862

See also: Malaysia’s own electric bike unveiled