Under the Shared Mobility Enterprises (Control & Licensing) Act 2020, depending on the vehicle type, a licence or class licence may be required to operate shared mobility services within public places in Singapore. Currently, dockless bicycle-sharing licence applications are open bi-annually. To improve overall public path safety, from 1 April 2021, businesses who are currently providing or wish to provide shared mobility services with docked motorised devices will also require a class licence.
Shared Mobility Services Licensing
Bicycle-Sharing Application
1) The Land Transport Authority (LTA) opened a new licence application cycle for bicycle-sharing service on 22 July 2020 and the submission deadline for applications was closed on 26 August 2020, 6pm.
2) When evaluating applications, LTA will take into consideration the following factors:
a) The applicant’s plans to manage indiscriminate parking, including user education on proper parking behaviour;
b) Ability to maintain healthy fleet utilisation rates, including managing overall demand for its bicycle-sharing service and the availability of parking spaces; and
c) Overall track record including whether there were previous instances of regulatory contraventions.
3) Under LTA’s licensing framework, successful applicants which are granted Type 2 (sandbox) bicycle licences for bicycle-sharing services will be allowed to operate in public places for one year.
4) Type 2 (sandbox) bicycle licensees that demonstrate their ability to manage indiscriminate parking well, comply with regulatory requirements and ensure good utilisation rates will have the opportunity to obtain a full licence subsequently and grow their fleet over time.
Class Licence for Docked Motorised Device-Sharing Operators
From 1 April 2021, all businesses that offer for hire docked motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) and power assisted bicycles (PABs) to be ridden in public places will be regulated under a class licensing regime. These include brick-and-mortar (physical) shops providing motorised PMD and/or PAB rental services to the general public, and hotels or companies that offer the use of such devices to their guests and/or employees.
Businesses may obtain more information in this industry circular (PDF, 155KB).
