The death of 65-year-old Ong Bee Eng on Wednesday (Sept 25), four days after an electric scooter crashed into her bicycle in Bedok North, set off an outpouring of grief and outrage among TODAY readers. The authorities revealed that the electric scooter that collided with her was non-compliant, and had exceeded the prescribed weight and width limits for use on public paths.

The incident reignited calls for a ban on personal mobility devices (PMDs) and tougher controls, including ensuring that all vehicles have speed-limiting features. Some readers said they refuse to allow elderly relatives to go on walks and fear that their children would be knocked down. 

Rest in peace. I am really sad, and while reading this story, my tears rolled down uncontrollably. I really hope that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will do something to these PMD riders who are endangering lives. SAMANTHA CHAN 

"She was always there for us, always there asking if we needed food." All grandmas are ever ready to feed us. This quote from the victim’s nephew, while innocuous, made me tear because it reminded me of my grandma so much. I cannot imagine how I would feel if this happened to my grandma when she was still around. NASRI NASIR 

It is almost impossible to police all errant riders, but a life is at stake always. If PMDs were banned in the first place, this would not have happened. This is very sad. My condolences to the family. Rest in peace, Madam Ong. MARK TAN 

Much has been written and spoken about this issue: Home fires, serious injuries and now a precious life lost. What else needs to happen before the relevant authority considers banning these killer machines? ROBIN YAP 

Almost daily, I have seen PMD riders who zip across pedestrian paths with utter disregard for people's safety. Two weeks ago, a GrabFood deliveryman collided head-on with my five-year-old son along a park connector, leaving him with scratches. I urge LTA to ban PMDs. I have seen the new rules being put up on notice boards and the avenues for complaint. These measures will not work. How to report them when they are whizzing past? By the time we take our phones out and switch on the camera, the errant riders are long gone. PMDs have become increasingly bigger. They now resemble small motorcycles. It is a travesty that they are allowed on public pathways. Even smaller PMDs have wide wheels and are capable of high speeds. Please do something about it. I fear for my children. I fear for the elderly. Ban these devices, please. Let us take a strong stand. VEDHA GIRI 

Given the high percentage of elderly Singaporeans, we cannot have uncontrolled use of PMDs. LTA is trying its best, but it cannot be supervising the lanes and pavements 24/7 across Singapore. This means we need to tighten regulations that cover the sale and distribution of PMDs. HON SUN

All e-scooters and mobility devices must be installed with speed-limiting devices. LTA must look into this to ensure that it is enforced, if it does not wish to implement a total ban. The punishment for offenders must be serious enough to deter another offence. YOGO MOJOO 

Unfortunately, in reality, LTA is unable to control modification of devices. LTA cannot be monitoring every device 24/7, so users can easily work around speed-limiting components within their devices. I agree that punishment must be harsher. Few people do drugs as it carries the death sentence. Lots of drivers break traffic laws, though, because the punishment is not severe enough. MENG YANG 

One irresponsible individual has killed a person and has put the food-delivery folks under so much scrutiny. These are people who actually need the devices to make a living. Yet people do not learn. I just saw one, definitely non-compliant PMD on the road, going against the flow of traffic with a pillion rider. IAN TAN 

Do not underestimate the power of a PMD. It can go faster than a motorbike. No one can enforce PMD speed limits at all times. What astounds me is that the online community has warned for a long time that death will be inevitable if no clear, decisive regulatory measures are rolled out. Yet why have the relevant authorities still allowed it to happen? NICKY TAN 

The present infrastructure is not able to support both pedestrians and PMDs on footpaths. LAU JIT KEONG 

I believe most pedestrians on footpaths are doing what I am doing. Walk a few steps, turn around, then walk a few steps and turn around again to look out for those PMDs. We repeat the motion until we reach our destinations. EJ ONG

These PMDs should not have existed as an alternative mode of transport, as much as they make our daily commutes more convenient. They have been in the constant spotlight for so many acts of wrongdoing. It is time to get these PMDs off the streets because we are not immune and we constantly have to look over our shoulders for one speeding past. CHEN JIN LONG

I see many illegally modified PMDs on footpaths these days. As they move fast and are rather silent, one never knows when they are there until the PMDs are literally in your face. Considering that more and more of these devices are being used irresponsibly and at reckless speeds, many more accidents will be inevitable. We cannot afford another senseless loss of life. PENNY LAY 

I have lost faith in the e-scooter community, so I plan to sacrifice my registered, compliant e-scooter for disposal this weekend. Plus, I do not have time to use my e-scooter these days, as I am too busy with National Service. IVAN FARABI RACHMAN

I used to enjoy taking a stroll in the evening. But these days, it has become so stressful because I have to constantly look out for these devices zipping past from the back. Singapore’s pioneering leaders are renowned for their foresight, but sadly, our current batch of leaders can only dish out so many rules without really wanting to address the root cause of the issue. TAN MICHAEL 

I took my dad in his 80s for a morning walk in the neighbourhood park recently. Already, after 9am, there were so many PMDs whizzing here and there. I do not want my aged parent to go out on his own anymore, as the likelihood of being knocked down is quite high. Whatever happened to walking, or taking a bus, MRT and taxi? Mobility devices should be limited to those with mobility issues, not for young, hale and hearty people with perfectly good legs. LISA HONG-PING KONG

The authorities should immediately set up a PMD Victim Fund from the S$50 million set aside to make PMDs the future mode of alternative transport. This fund will provide financial help to all victims, past and present. It will also settle the funeral expenses in cases of death. No amount of third-party insurance or penal punishment can compensate for the loss and drastic mental effects on the immediate family. DANIEL LAI

These comments were first posted to TODAY’s Facebook page or submitted to Voices. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length.