Q&A with James Lai of Zoom Scooters

First things first. Are these things legal?

There are currently no restrictions or regulations on the usage of electric stand-up scooters on walkways, pedestrian paths and park connectors. You’re not allowed on the roads, though, and of course, you should slow down when there’s a crowd and step off to push the scooter at traffic junctions. Helmets are recommended too.

How did you come to start importing scooters?

Coming back to Singapore after studying in Holland I found it frustrating that I have to take 25 minutes on a bus just to get to the nearest MRT station which is a mere 2.5km away. Unfortunately, our local climate does make it a little impractical to cycle, especially when you have to meet clients and don’t want to end up sweating a lot. So I began to look for alternative transport solutions that could help solve the first and last mile of my journey

So you think Singapore could be doing more to make it easier to get around?

Singapore is perfect for sustainable transport because of its flat and even roads. More bicycle lanes should be designated and pedestrian pathways can be widened so that both cyclists and pedestrians can share the same path safely.

Go on then—sell the Zoom to us in 100 words or less.

ZoomAir is a revolutionary electric scooter that is designed to make your urban commuting easier and enjoyable. It is lightweight (only 9.8kg), portable, compact and can be easily brought onto public transport or stored in the boot of your car. Not only that, it is 100% zero-emission and green-friendly. Such alternative sustainable transport isn’t new, but the existing products in the market are either very expensive or not easy to bring around—think Segway and YikeBike). ZoomAir combines affordability, convenience and style in one scooter. Plus it can go up to 20km with a speed of 23km/hour.


The ZoomAir is available for $1,099 (with a choice of black or white). Go to www.zoom.sg for more info.