Grab and e-scooter rivals hit regulatory bumps in Southeast Asia

New rules slow two-wheeled option for beating traffic in Jakarta and Singapore

E-scooter sharing services such as GrabWheels face restrictions in Indonesia after a deadly collision. A press conference in May, Jakarta. (Photo courtesy of Grab)

SHOTARO TANI and KENTARO IWAMOTO, Nikkei staff writers

December 26, 2019 15:13 JST

JAKARTA/SINGAPORE -- For a while, ride-hailing unicorn Grab's electric-scooter sharing service seemed to enjoy a rare prospect in Jakarta: an open road.

GrabWheels, introduced in May on the outskirts of Indonesia's capital, gradually expanded into central Jakarta and caught on among young people, giving them a way to zip through traffic-clogged streets.