Lee, president of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, said devices must weigh less than 20kg with their width not exceeding 65cm. Their speed must not exceed 25km/h.

They must also be equipped with a white front light, a red rear light, a red reflector, an effective braking system and an alarm warning device, while the battery must fulfil European Union safety standards because of the possibility of leakage, overheating and sparking a fire while charging.

“Distributors of these products in Hong Kong will be the gatekeepers and make sure the products they import fulfil the requirements of the law before selling them,” Lee said.

“There are no braking systems and lights installed on hoverboards. People control them by balancing their bodies which could endanger themselves and other users of the cycle tracks. It is reasonable to exclude them.”

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Lee said the initial plan was to allow devices on cycle tracks while pavements and carriageways would be off-limits. Laws and penalties on the use of such devices would be governed by bicycle regulations.

Transport minister Lam Sai-hung last October said the department had conducted trials at cycle tracks in Tseung Kwan O South and near the Hong Kong Science Park in 2021 to gain operating experience for regulating devices.

From 202o to 2022, 56 accidents involved electric devices, according to police statistics. In January, a 28-year-old restaurant delivery man with head injuries was found unconscious beside an electric scooter in a car park in Kwun Tong.

Lee said the government was concerned about safety during the site trials and decided to set a speed limit referencing Singapore’s regulations.

Riders in the city state must be aged at least 16 years and pass a theory test before they can use their registered device on park connectors and cycling paths with a speed limit of 25km/h.

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In Canada, Montreal banned all electric scooters for rental or private use in 2020. Also that year, Danish capital Copenhagen banned rentals before allowing them back a year later with stricter conditions.

Lee said electric devices were beneficial to Hong Kong residents from remote districts for travelling to mass transit locations and the authorities would consider charging and storage options when they became more popular.

“The Transport Department has finished its site trials and has been drafting documents for submitting to the Legislative Council early this year. But the implementation date is still unknown,” Lee said.

The department said it would report to Legco’s transport panel on the progress of regulating electric devices in the first half of this year.

Sai Kung district councillor Christine Fong Kwok-shan said she remained open-minded on legalising such devices.

“It’s good to give alternative travelling options to Tseung Kwan O residents if the authorities have rules on using those devices. If there is a speed limit in place, I believe bicycle users will accept e-scooters when they use the cycling tracks together,” Fong said.

Keep e-scooters out of Hong Kong, it’s not ready. Just look at the drivers

She said transport officials should liaise with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to look at suitable device options for residents.

“Compared with other cities, we have a delay in developing e-travel devices which may be beneficial to the environment and reduce carbon footprints,” Fong said.

Fan Wai-keung, 43, a resident of Tai Mei Tuk in Tai Po, was unhappy the pilot programme did not include nearby cycle tracks.

“I have an e-scooter which is very convenient for me to move around villages in the neighbourhood. Residents have a need here and we have cycle tracks nearby. I hope the initiative will expand here soon,” Fan said.