Micro-mobility: Challenges and prospects for Electric Mobility Devices (EMDs) in Hong Kong

Electric Mobility Devices (EMDs) include Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), Power Assisted Pedal Cycle (PAPCs), and Motorised Personal Mobility Aid (PMAs) such as electric scooters, electric unicycles, electric hoverboards, electric wheelchairs, and electric bicycles. In recent years, EMDs have become more popular in major cities across the globe. Whereas many cities have embraced and integrated this new form of urban green mobility into their public transport systems, in Hong Kong, the increasing popularity of these micro vehicles is being met with a growing public and government concern over the key issue of safety. To address this public outcry, the government proposed the EMDs regulatory framework to manage the use of EMDs in such a densely populated city with mountainous terrain. The judicial definition of EMDs in the current Hong Kong Road Traffic Ordinance considers all electric devices such as unicycles, e-scooters, hoverboards, and electric bicycles as ‘motor vehicles’ that are prohibited on the carriageways, footpaths, or cycle tracks. The same Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374), allows only PMAs or medical-electric wheelchairs among EMDs to share the footpaths and street flex zones. Referring to the transport review of 19th June 2020, by the Hong Kong Legislative Council Panel, this study aims to review the cost-benefits of using EMDs in such a densely populated city. Using geospatial analysis, the study intends to identify and propose locations in the city that may support the use of this innovative ‘first-last mile’ green mobility mode.