Forum: Encourage motorcycles as an alternative transport option
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Recent MRT disruptions have shown how dependent commuters are on rail services, and how challenging it becomes to find timely alternatives when a major line fails. Beyond disruptions, many Singaporeans also face peak-hour congestion and crowded buses and trains during everyday travel, with few affordable alternatives.
For those priced out of car ownership, taxis and ride-hailing services are often too costly, especially during peak surges or late-night hours when public transport is unavailable.
It may be timely to reconsider the role of motorcycles and motor-scooters, which are space-efficient, require minimal parking, and can navigate through peak-hour traffic more effectively.
A recent European study found that shifting just 5 per cent of car trips to powered two-wheelers can save cities millions of commuter-days annually, ease congestion, and improve transport resilience. When scaled to Singapore’s density, a similar shift could meaningfully reduce everyday road congestion and provide critical redundancy when rail services are disrupted.
One step is to reinstate the minimum motorcycle learning age of 16 – once the norm here and still common in many countries today. Together with our structured licensing system and enhanced safety training, this can guide younger riders towards proper licensing and not turn to illegal personal mobility devices or unsafe devices.
We could also consider a review of motorcycle certificate of entitlement, its stagnant quota growth and additional registration fee so that it remains accessible to those who cannot afford cars.
These measures, while helping to alleviate peak-hour congestion, would complement public transport by offering commuters a realistic, regulated and space-efficient fallback during MRT disruptions, and the affordability challenges faced by many Singaporeans.
Norman Lee
