A photo of a man seated almost in a squat on top of a mini bike at an intersection got netizens commenting on the risks posed to public safety.
“I gotta buy me one of this. It’s damn fast!” wrote Facebook page Complaint Singapore member Anthony Chan on a photo of the rider looking like he was eagerly anticipating for the traffic lights to turn green, so he could zoom off.
“Legal or not?” asked Mr Chan.
According to netizens, the owner of the minibike was quite popular for going faster than other road users.
“This guy again… that time saw him at Tampines there. Can go faster than a motorcycle,” said Facebook user Adrian Lim while another said the rider was famous in Bedok.
Meanwhile, others noted that riding a bike of that size on public roads was unsafe.
“Don’t know why Singapore always wait. Wait till people are injured then come and ban like last time the e- scooter. It’s so dangerous,” said Facebook user Vivian Cheng.
These toy-like motorcycles are known as pocket bikes and are typically 50cc petrol-powered machines, reaching speeds of about 50 kmh. One could purchase this mini bike for about S$500.
The riders of the 20kg pocket bikes are seated awkwardly, given the machine is about the height of a car tyre.
While not illegal to own a pocket bike, one would have to take due diligence on where to ride it. The Land Transport Authority has said that these bikes are too small to ride on public roads.
Pocket bikes are also not allowed in parks, jogging tracks or pavements without proper permission from relevant authorities.
The motorised device in question also looks like a personal mobility device, which is still not allowed on public roads, even if the rider is wearing a helmet. /TISG