Lihua was a regular customer of Eko Life, a popular electric bicycle shop in Singapore. He owned an electric bicycle that he used for his job as a Grab delivery person. Lihua relied on his electric bicycle to make a living, and he needed it to be fast and efficient in order to keep up with the demands of his job.
When Lihua bought his electric bicycle, he didn’t have enough money to pay for it all at once. So, he agreed to a payment plan with FundBox, a financing company that offered instalment plans for electric bicycles. Lihua was happy with this arrangement, because it allowed him to get the electric bicycle, he needed without having to pay for it all upfront.
The Excitement
One day, Lihua decided to modify his electric bicycle by adding a throttle and increasing the motor power. He wanted his bicycle to be even faster and more powerful, so that he could deliver more food and earn more money. Lihua knew that modifying his electric bicycle was against the law, but he didn’t think it was a big deal. He figured that as long as he didn’t get caught, he would be fine.
Lihua searched online for someone who could modify his electric bicycle, and he eventually found a freelance technician on Carousell, a peer-to-peer selling platform. The technician offered to modify Lihua’s electric bicycle for a cheap price, and Lihua agreed. The technician came to Lihua’s house and worked on his electric bicycle in the garage. When the technician was finished, Lihua’s electric bicycle was faster and more powerful than ever before. Lihua was thrilled with the results, and he couldn’t wait to start using his new and improved electric bicycle for his deliveries.
But Lihua didn’t know that the government had recently introduced a new law, the Active Mobility Bill, which proposed to increase the fine for modifying electric bicycles to $5,000. If the law was approved, Lihua could be in big trouble.
The Downfall
One day, while Lihua was making a delivery, a traffic police officer saw him and noticed that his e-bike had been modified. The officer stopped Lihua and asked to see his documents. When Lihua couldn’t provide the necessary documents, the officer confiscated his electric bicycle and issued him a fine for $5,000. The officer also told Lihua that his electric bicycle would be destroyed and that he could not get it back
Lihua was shocked and devastated. He didn’t have that much money, and he didn’t know how he was going to pay the fine. He realized that he had made a big mistake by modifying his electric bicycle, and that he had put his livelihood at risk. Lihua also realized that the freelance technician who had modified his electric bicycle was not qualified or licensed to do so, and that he had put his safety at risk by trusting him.
Helping Hand
Lihua knew that he had to pay the fine in order to avoid any further consequences, but he didn’t have enough money to pay it all at once. He called FundBox, his family and explained the situation, and they were very helpful and understanding. They helped him pay off the fine in monthly instalments, just like he was doing with the electric bicycle. However, Lihua still had to pay off the remaining balance on the electric bicycle that was confiscated, even though he could not get it back.
Lihua was relieved that FundBox and his family was able to help him, but he was still worried about how he was going to pay off the fine and the remaining balance on his electric bicycle. He knew that he would have to work extra hard and make more deliveries in order to make the payments on time. Lihua was determined to never break the law again and to always use his electric bicycle responsibly. He learned his lesson the hard way, and he was grateful that he still had a chance to make things right.
Lihua’s story really highlights how important it is to follow the rules, especially when it comes to e-bike modifications in Singapore. I can understand why he wanted a faster bike to make deliveries, but the laws are there for a reason – mainly safety, both for the rider and for everybody else on the road. The Active Mobility Bill might seem strict, but I believe it’s necessary to keep things in check and prevent more accidents.
I’m genuinely glad that FundBox and Lihua’s family were there to help him out. It shows that when someone gets into trouble, support can really make a difference. I hope more riders see this as a lesson – fast money isn’t worth risking your livelihood and safety. Let’s hope Singapore continues to support delivery workers with safe, legal e-mobility options!
But isn’t the $5,000 fine a bit too much? For someone doing food delivery to survive, it just feels like overkill. Maybe there should be more education instead of harsh punishment for first-timers like Lihua.
But sometimes when someone is desperate to earn a living, they might not know all the rules, or just ignore them for the money. The law should protect people like Lihua and guide them before punishing so hard.
That’s why sharing these stories is important – make sure everyone knows the risks before doing anything illegal. Maybe community groups or delivery platforms can do more education too.
Public awareness campaign could help lah, but got to make sure it doesn’t end up being just another poster at the hawker centre. Real life stories hit harder.
I get where you’re coming from, Gurpreet. But if the fines are lower, people might not take the law seriously at all. Strict penalties send a clear message: safety comes first. Education is important too, but real change sometimes only happens when there are real consequences.
It’s true that rules need to be strict, but Lihua’s case shows how maybe finance burden just shifts to his family or lending company. The law should target the illegal workshops or technicians more.
Both points are valid lah. High fines work, but maybe first offense can have a chance to pay less if they fix the bike back to legal. Second time then whack.
Hi all, just a gentle reminder to keep the discussion focused on electric bicycle modifications, the related laws, and Lihua’s story. Please avoid straying too far from the topic or making personal attacks. Let’s keep it constructive and respectful – thanks!
Honestly, while rules are important, sometimes they don’t really take into account the real struggles of gig workers. Lihua only wanted to do his job well but the system seems to be against him from the start. Isn’t it worth asking if there should be a safer, more legal way for riders to upgrade their bikes?
Even if there are safer legal mods, people might still want to go faster than allowed. Some will always try to bend the rules no matter what options are there.
Maybe stricter but fair, like a warning system before a full fine. Not everyone has bad intentions.
That’s why enforcement still needs to be strict. At least give people a proper legal route first, then those who break the law can’t say they got no choice.
You have a point, Priya! Maybe instead of a blanket ban, there could be a certification scheme, so workers like Lihua can get legal upgrades that are safe. Still, I feel that personal responsibility matters too, so everyone plays their part in safety.
Agree with both. Government can work with shops to make legal upgrades accessible so less people are tempted to break the rules.
Certification sounds good but it might be expensive or slow, then, riders might go back to illegal mods. We need more affordable legal upgrades if we want people to follow the law.
I feel for Lihua, but at the same time, he should have known better. Modifying his e-bike without permission is not just against the law, it’s also a safety concern. I’m glad FundBox helped him pay off the fine, but next time, he should think twice before making any modifications.
We understand your concern, Raden Tan! At Eko Life, we always emphasize the importance of following laws and regulations when it comes to e-mobility. Lihua’s experience is a great reminder that even though modifications might seem harmless, they can still pose safety risks and legal consequences. We’re glad FundBox was able to help him pay off the fine, but indeed, it’s crucial for all users to be aware of the laws and regulations governing e-mobility in Singapore. If you have any questions or concerns about our products or services, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] or +65 6589 8877.
Honestly, I feel sorry for Lihua but rules are there for a reason. Modifying e-bikes not only risks your safety but also your job. Hope more people learn from his story and don’t take shortcuts.
I agree that Lihua should have checked the laws and regulations before modifying his e-bike. However, it’s also important to note that the fine was quite steep. I hope he learned a valuable lesson from this experience and will be more careful in the future.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Kavin! We’re glad you agree that it’s crucial to follow laws and regulations when modifying e-bikes. You’re right, the fine was quite steep, but we’re relieved that Lihua found a solution with FundBox’s help. Indeed, this experience can serve as a valuable lesson for others in similar situations.
Is there any way for people who already modified their e-bikes illegally to fix things or get help, besides just paying the fine?
If someone has already modified their e-bike illegally, the best thing to do is to revert the modifications as soon as possible and consult an authorized shop for guidance. It’s important to follow the laws, and you can always contact us at Escooter Singapore or Eko Life if you need help with legal compliance or advice on your e-bike. If a fine is involved, working with financing companies like FundBox can also provide some financial relief.
It’s really scary how one small decision can turn your life upside down. I understand Lihua wanted to earn more, but fixing or speeding up e-bikes like this is just too risky. Good reminder to always do things the right way.