Using public transportation is still inevitable in some cases, and there are health and safety protocols to achieve peace of mind. However, more alternatives for transportation means are also welcomed by urbanites, let alone one that is environmentally friendly and convenient for personal use.

For those who have missed app-based electric scooters, here is the good news: GrabWheels has returned to service after a temporary hiatus.

Ride-hailing company Grab relaunched GrabWheels in mid-August, with the support of the Transportation Ministry and Jakarta Police.

In the early phase of its return, the electric scooter was only available at certain points within the capital, adhering to Transportation Ministerial Regulation (Permenhub) No. 45/2020 on certain electric-powered vehicles.

The regulation also stipulates the implementation of health and safety protocols for electric vehicles including GrabWheels, in order to help create a better transportation ecosystem.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya at the relaunch of GrabWheels said that he welcomed the return of GrabWheels in the capital.

“With official rules imposed, and supported by strict safety and health protocols, as well as an increased number of bike lanes, it will be more convenient for the public to use personal mobility devices such as GrabWheels, and hence an improvement in air quality,” said Budi.

Eco-friendly solution: The newly relaunched GrabWheels utilizes eco-friendly electric scooters as an end-to-end transportation solution. (Grab/File)

Read also: Back on the road: E-scooter service GrabWheels returns to Jakarta streets

Prospective riders can find GrabWheels in seven locations including Thamrin 10, Intiland Tower, Blok M Square, Blok M Mall, Kuningan City, Lotte Shopping Avenue and the BRI 2 Building and in the future GrabWheels will be available in more locations.

President of Grab Indonesia, Ridzki Kramadibrata, said that the company strove to innovate through GrabWheels.

“We are thrilled to relaunch GrabWheels together with the Transportation Ministry and Jakarta Police, as an alternative solution for end-to-end transportation for Jakartans,” said Ridzki.

Moreover, the Jakarta Police community development (Binmas) director Sr. Comr. Badya Wijaya expressed his appreciation and support for the return of GrabWheels. He said that the Jakarta Police would monitor the safety of its use in the seven locations where it is available, including ensuring that riders comply with the relevant speed limits.

Test-drive: GrabWheels electric scooters were taken for a test-drive at the Transportation Ministry after its relaunch on Thursday. (Grab/File)

Grab, which handed over 30 units of GrabWheels to the Jakarta Police for operational needs, also said in a statement that the company had cooperated with the Jakarta administration in improving the quality of bike lanes in the designated areas.

To ensure users’ health and safety, below are the protocols implemented for GrabWheels:

-       Provision of Station Manager in every GrabWheels operational zone. The managers will supervise and disinfect each GrabWheels unit regularly every 24 hours.

-       Encouraging users to bring their own helmets, while also providing helmets in every GrabWheels parking spot. The “Helmet Checking” feature will also be available to ensure every user wears a helmet before starting their ride.

-       Installation of automatic transmitter sensors to limit e-scooter function on restricted areas such as pedestrian bridges.

-       Provision of health insurance for GrabWheels users.

-       Actively providing education on safe riding in every operational zone through the Grab app.

-       Speed limit of 15km/hour on every GrabWheels unit.

-       Each GrabWheels unit is equipped with automatic lamp and reflectors for night riding.

To start using GrabWheels, users can choose the GrabWheels tile in the Grab app and find the nearest GrabWheels parking station. Each unit is available for use in a designated area around the parking station with a Rp 10,000 (67 US cents) fee for every 30 minutes.