E-scooter riders gather to voice frustration over ban at Meet-the-People session in Ang Mo Kio Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/e-scooter-ban-riders-ang-mo-kio-meet-the-people-session-12070064 (Updated: )
3 seconds ago
Posted on :- 27 Sep 2019 Ricky L (1) Social inequality comes about when there are big gaps between the have and the have-not. This is one of the main reason of social unrest we seen in other cities. eg. HK housing where poorer folks unable to own house. (2) In Singapore, Government did a good job in housing. (3) However not many can afford a car. (4) Thus PMDs is the next alternative to car - an empowerment for the less endow folk. "You have car, i also have PMD to move anywhere." Thus a total ban on PMD will be dynamite. (5) Think of mitigation measures to ensure responsible usage, no speeding that kill, mutual respect, law to instill discipline, separate pathway etc will ensure PMD users are not deprive of their "car". (6) Irresponsible use of cars like PMDs such as speeding, cut into other's lane, beating red light also kill. But no one ban cars. So likewise cannot just say ban PMDs - an easy way out. (7) Social inequality is the unconscious demon that can erupt if not handle carefully. ---- (1) PMD is an emotive subject as it is close to the heart of the people - thus people may tend to over-react. 1 PMD death which is very unfortunate - can cause overwhelming emotion to cry for a total ban of PMD which is unwise. (2) But cars and buses had caused hundred and thousands of death and serious injuries and even trigger 1 little india riot - but no one cry for a ban on buses and cars. (3) PMDs appeal to the poorer folks and a job tool for the less endow folks - should we find ways to mitigate and reduce accidents rather than cry for a total ban? Ramping up separate PMD path will solve the problem. (4) We need to solve problem by appealing to both the rational side of the heart and the mind but not the emotional side of the heart and the mind (where statistic of one death versus thousand death don't add up. And social inequality of cars for the rich versus PMDs for the less endow don't add up too). ---- A small observation:- Government increasingly proactive to obtain feedback and get public to actively participate in formulating Government policies. Whatsapp group (social media tool) - is particularly useful as it can be quickly setup, it can gather a large group of people in a short time - to feel the pulse and get immediate feedback - for emotive subjects that can quickly erupt if not arrested. Eg. to pre-empt and prevent HK type and Indonesia type of policy induced unrest - where telegram and whatsapp have been used in a negative way by the protestors. This 1st PMD death may trigger a sudden uproar from the public as it is close to the heart of people - but if properly managed, the issue will not go out of control. PMD has alot of merits - and should not let one grossly errant user dismiss its used or worst trigger a public uproar. The REACH quick setup on this topic to feel the pulse of the public response - is good foresight and laudable. --- REACH - Feedback on PMD (A) Addressing Social Inequality and Mobility needs (1) Higher income group can afford cars for their personal mobility. (2) Likewise, we must address those in the middle income and lower income group - who have similar desire to have the means for personal mobility - and PMDs are the right tools for these 2 groups as PMDs are affordable and can address their mobility needs. (3) Thus for those who want a ban on PMD - will have to into account this needs. (4) There are also people who use PMDs as their job delivery tools - like those food delivery, eCommerce delivery - and a ban on PMD will hit these group of people who rely on PMDs for their job. (5) Cars, Buses etc also will cause accidents or kill people on the road --- do we ban cars, buses on the roads - by using causing injuries or death as the justification? (6) Given the aspiration of the needs to tackle Global warming and car-lite vision - PMDs are good tools to achieve both of these goals. Thus should we jump into the extreme - to ban PMDs when a few minorities are blacksheep that fringe on negligence, malice, cheap thrill and irresponsible in using PMDs? Felt that there can be other ways to tackle responsible use of PMDs as well as segregating pedestrians from PMD users which will address later.
7 hours ago
Today Government is hopeless with their "anything also can under the sky" mindset. When something happened or when lives are lost or seriously injured then only government will do something to solve it. But they now know that solving this problem will lead to another problem, and another problem. It is a problem that the government had created themselves and now find it challenging to solve. This government don't have foresight, hindsight or maybe is blind that they cannot even see where ordinary citizens can see. Well ! next election we know what's to do already. May God bless us and Singapore, meanwhile let's pray that it is not going to be another Hong Kong.
20 hours ago
What’s the need for discussion ? Ban PMD totally before more casualties from its Riders !
21 hours ago
".... Shanmugam called Loke’s conduct “sneaky and unnecessary, when we try and deal with issues in good faith”, adding “We know he is a supporter of a political party”.
erh...I am confused here.....what has it got to do with "political party".....they're AGAINST HIM or AGAINST PMDS on Footpaths??
17 hours ago
Shanmugam, I do not know who is this Edmund Loke, neither am I interested to know. I am just perplexed as to why you even bother to mention his name and actions. What is your intent in doing so?
More importantly, how do you even know it was him? Did you speak to him in person? Or did he confess? How were you able to spot him from where you were, given that you were surrounded by so many people and having conversations with them? It was night time and HDB void decks are not very brightly lit. It would be a challenge even for someone with good eyesight, not to mention yourself, to accurately identify an individual. Was your focus on the people who were raising their issues and concerns to you?
Is your ministry resorting to espionage activities that include spying on people? Or just some targeted individuals? Did you employ State's resources to track and identify Edmund? Or just your own initiatives, time and effort?
How did you know?
21 hours ago
"Sneaky and unnecessary"? Like how hsk "passed motion" in parliament on the WP even before their case was concluded in court? "We know he is a supprter of a political party". Who isn't a supporter of a political party?
19 hours ago
'Sneaky and Unnecessary'..... Wait, now where did we see that happening so many times before..? Ah....
8 hours ago
Only PMD can deliver food? Cannot use bicycle ? Cannot use motorbike? I totally support GOV ban PMD on footpath.
21 hours ago
I feel strongly that there is a very serious 'misrepresentation' especially if we realise how just recently all PMD riders were asked to register their mobiles. Some people could have just bought new ones recently based on this 'tacit understanding' that the PMD registration means that all is well and fine for the use of the mobile. Anyone would be caught by the surprised and 'immediate effect' announcement without care to the immediate hardships this would bring to businesses, individual livelihoods and family who have come to depend on this mode of transportation. The culprits are those who speed for recreation. The majority of the serious users are not but are however severely punished by the broad-brush of this new regulation. There must be a better way to handle this fiasco, I think.
9 hours ago
Food delivery not necessarily must use PMD for delivery. Bicycle will do the same job. The PMD fires and ,road accidents have claimed many causality. That not the end of the world, must think n reinvent
20 hours ago
It was the wrong policy to allow PMD share the footpath Now the problem is getting worse. But " problem maker " MOT minister is now in hiding. maybe now on holiday in Penang. Now the ruling party's MPs are saying they want to help the affected delivery men. This group of people is already a low-paid worker. Why your's Forget them after GE ? The problem is that we don't have enough jobs opportunity for the locals and foreigners took away their bowls.Fortunately, this job can't hire foreign workers, so they have jobs.
Ricky L
(1) Social inequality comes about when there are big gaps between the have and the have-not.
This is one of the main reason of social unrest we seen in other cities. eg. HK housing where poorer folks unable to own house.
(2) In Singapore, Government did a good job in housing.
(3) However not many can afford a car.
(4) Thus PMDs is the next alternative to car - an empowerment for the less endow folk. "You have car, i also have PMD to move anywhere." Thus a total ban on PMD will be dynamite.
(5) Think of mitigation measures to ensure responsible usage, no speeding that kill, mutual respect, law to instill discipline, separate pathway etc will ensure PMD users are not deprive of their "car".
(6) Irresponsible use of cars like PMDs such as speeding, cut into other's lane, beating red light also kill. But no one ban cars. So likewise cannot just say ban PMDs - an easy way out.
(7) Social inequality is the unconscious demon that can erupt if not handle carefully.
----
(1) PMD is an emotive subject as it is close to the heart of the people - thus people may tend to over-react. 1 PMD death which is very unfortunate - can cause overwhelming emotion to cry for a total ban of PMD which is unwise.
(2) But cars and buses had caused hundred and thousands of death and serious injuries and even trigger 1 little india riot - but no one cry for a ban on buses and cars.
(3) PMDs appeal to the poorer folks and a job tool for the less endow folks - should we find ways to mitigate and reduce accidents rather than cry for a total ban? Ramping up separate PMD path will solve the problem.
(4) We need to solve problem by appealing to both the rational side of the heart and the mind but not the emotional side of the heart and the mind (where statistic of one death versus thousand death don't add up.
And social inequality of cars for the rich versus PMDs for the less endow don't add up too).
----
A small observation:-
Government increasingly proactive to obtain feedback and get public to actively participate in formulating Government policies.
Whatsapp group (social media tool) - is particularly useful as it can be quickly setup, it can gather a large group of people in a short time - to feel the pulse and get immediate feedback - for emotive subjects that can quickly erupt if not arrested.
Eg. to pre-empt and prevent HK type and Indonesia type of policy induced unrest - where telegram and whatsapp have been used in a negative way by the protestors.
This 1st PMD death may trigger a sudden uproar from the public as it is close to the heart of people - but if properly managed, the issue will not go out of control.
PMD has alot of merits - and should not let one grossly errant user dismiss its used or worst trigger a public uproar.
The REACH quick setup on this topic to feel the pulse of the public response - is good foresight and laudable.
---
REACH - Feedback on PMD
(A) Addressing Social Inequality and Mobility needs
(1) Higher income group can afford cars for their personal mobility.
(2) Likewise, we must address those in the middle income and lower income group - who have similar desire to have the means for personal mobility - and PMDs are the right tools for these 2 groups as PMDs are affordable and can address their mobility needs.
(3) Thus for those who want a ban on PMD - will have to into account this needs.
(4) There are also people who use PMDs as their job delivery tools - like those food delivery, eCommerce delivery - and a ban on PMD will hit these group of people who rely on PMDs for their job.
(5) Cars, Buses etc also will cause accidents or kill people on the road --- do we ban cars, buses on the roads - by using causing injuries or death as the justification?
(6) Given the aspiration of the needs to tackle Global warming and car-lite vision - PMDs are good tools to achieve both of these goals. Thus should we jump into the extreme - to ban PMDs when a few minorities are blacksheep that fringe on negligence, malice, cheap thrill and irresponsible in using PMDs?
Felt that there can be other ways to tackle responsible use of PMDs as well as segregating pedestrians from PMD users which will address later.
erh...I am confused here.....what has it got to do with "political party".....they're AGAINST HIM or AGAINST PMDS on Footpaths??
More importantly, how do you even know it was him? Did you speak to him in person? Or did he confess? How were you able to spot him from where you were, given that you were surrounded by so many people and having conversations with them? It was night time and HDB void decks are not very brightly lit. It would be a challenge even for someone with good eyesight, not to mention yourself, to accurately identify an individual. Was your focus on the people who were raising their issues and concerns to you?
Is your ministry resorting to espionage activities that include spying on people? Or just some targeted individuals? Did you employ State's resources to track and identify Edmund? Or just your own initiatives, time and effort?
How did you know?
now where did we see that happening
so many times before..? Ah....
I totally support GOV ban PMD on footpath.
Now the ruling party's MPs are saying they want to help the affected delivery men. This group of people is already a low-paid worker. Why your's Forget them after GE ?
The problem is that we don't have enough jobs opportunity for the locals and foreigners took away their bowls.Fortunately, this job can't hire foreign workers, so they have jobs.