Kuala Lampur, Nov. 10 -- Last week, the Singapore government prohibited the use of PMDs (Personal Mobility devices) - basically small electric scooters - on footpaths. This sparked a bout of political activity from an unusual demographic: teenagers and the youth.

Hundreds of, generally, young people delivered petitions, attended consultancy sessions with their local MPs last week or posted long heartfelt comments on social media as they tried to get the PMDs on footpath ban overturned.

Why the passion for PMDs? Because they are the vehicle of choice for Singapore's growing number of food delivery riders.

There are estimated to be over 7,000 riders using PMDs to make deliveries. The deliveries are largely, but not exclusively, in the se...