By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
Before you buy an e-bike or e-scooter in Singapore, check that it’s legal to use. A power-assisted bicycle (PAB) must meet the EN15194 standard, weigh no more than 20kg, stop assisting above 25km/h, and be type-approved, sealed and registered with the Land Transport Authority (LTA). An e-scooter must be certified to the UL2272 fire-safety standard and registered, and since 1 June 2026 it has been an offence even to keep one that isn’t certified. Riders of both must pass an online theory test. Neither may be ridden on footpaths.
Quick facts
- E-bikes: EN15194 standard, 20kg maximum, assistance up to 25km/h.
- E-bikes must be LTA type-approved, sealed and registered.
- E-scooters must be UL2272-certified and registered.
- Since 1 June 2026, keeping a non-UL2272 e-scooter is an offence.
- A theory test is required for e-bike and e-scooter riders; S$10 per attempt.
- E-scooters have been banned from footpaths since 2020.
What makes an e-bike legal?
It must meet the EN15194 safety standard, weigh no more than 20kg, and have motor assistance that cuts out at 25km/h. It must then be type-approved, sealed and registered with LTA before it can be used on roads or cycling paths. Using a non-compliant e-bike can mean a fine of up to S$20,000, up to two years’ jail, or both, for a first offence. At night, it needs a white front light and a red rear light or reflector.
What about e-scooters?
They must be certified to UL2272, a fire-safety standard, and registered with LTA. They can be ridden on cycling paths and park connectors, not on footpaths or roads. From 1 June 2026, simply keeping an e-scooter that isn’t UL2272-certified is an offence, with a fine of up to S$2,000, up to three months’ jail, or both, for a first offence. Motorised luggage counts as an e-scooter.
What’s the theory test?
An online multiple-choice test, required since 2022: 40 questions in 40 minutes for e-bikes, 30 in 30 minutes for e-scooters, with 80% needed to pass. Each attempt costs S$10, and the certificate doesn’t expire. Riding an e-bike without one can bring a fine of up to S$2,000, up to six months’ jail, or both, for a first offence.
The WahLiao Verdict
Buy only from a seller who can show LTA approval for an e-bike or UL2272 certification for an e-scooter; a cheap, non-compliant device is expensive to own and risky to charge. Dispose of an old uncertified e-scooter properly rather than keeping it.
Questions people ask
Can I ride an e-bike on the footpath?
No. E-bikes may use roads and cycling paths only.
Can children ride e-scooters?
Riders under 16 need adult supervision, and the supervising adult must have passed the test.
Why the fire standard?
Non-certified devices have caused battery fires. UL2272 tests the electrical system against fire risk.
Do ordinary bicycles need registering?
No. These rules apply to motorised devices.
Sources: LTA, active mobility rules and code of conduct, e-bike requirements and penalties and the theory tests; Intelligent Transport on the footpath ban.
Read next: MRT and Bus Fares · Road Tax in Singapore · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
