Calls for e-bike permits grow amid safety fears on Gold Coast
E-bike retailers say the devices are the future of short distance transportation but more regulations, and even a permit system, were needed to keep riders safe.
E-bike retailers on the Gold Coast say the devices are the future of transportation but a permit system could be introduced to curb dangerous behaviour and keep riders accountable for their actions.
It comes as the state government faces pressure to fast-track e-mobility safety reforms through parliament before Christmas in the wake of recent fatalities and serious crashes across Queensland.
Sun Chaser E-Bikes director and co-founder Jeremie Bernard said 90 per cent of his customers wanted to remove the 25km/h speed restrictions on the bikes when they leave the store.
“All our models are restricted to 25km/h, and some of our models are pedal-assist only, which makes them legal,” he said.
“If the customer wants to unrestrict the bike later on, we can no longer control this, despite voiding any warranty claim on the bike.
“We try our best to educate our customers on the safety side of things.
“At the end of the day, these bikes are very dangerous if not operated with care and respect towards the people around you.”
Mr Bernard said his Gold Coast business had seen “steady” growth in customers purchasing e-bikes but it does turn buyers away if they start to ask how fast the bike could go unrestricted or if the brake sensors could be removed, which allows riders to do a wheelie.
“We do have parents approaching us for their kids and that’s often a tricky one,” he said.
“Being a parent myself, I tend to gauge their behaviour by the type of questions they ask.
“We do not promote this type of behaviour.
“There are plenty of open spaces for this but certainly not in public areas or on the roads.
“We mostly get approached by families, looking for a bike that can carry an adult and a kid and that has the capacity to take on backpacks or beach stuff.”
Mr Bernard said e-bikes were the future of short distance transportation and needed to be embraced but appropriate regulations should be developed.
He said a permit system with a small rego fee could be implemented to keep riders accountable.
“E-bikes are a fantastic way of commuting,” he said.
“It must be done safely and the law must be respected.
“With this in mind, there must be a better way than a flat speed limit of 25 km/h for everyone.
“Perhaps a top speed of 35 to 40km/h in specific areas so that you feel like going somewhere when commuting longer distances.
“I believe part of the issue is the parents … (they should be) receiving the same education their kid is getting.”
Ampd Bros Electric Bikes co-founder Corey Keats said consistent national clarity was important with a focus on addressing concurrent issues around misuse.
“What we see most often however is confusion created by conflicting state rules particularly here on the Gold Coast where Queensland and NSW have different interpretations of wattage and vehicle classifications,” he said.
In NSW, e-bikes must have a maximum continuous power output of 500 watts.
But in Queensland, it’s 250 watts.
“This inconsistency affects riders, retailers and enforcement alike which is why clearer unified national standards would be beneficial,” Mr Keats said.
“Age-related misuse of devices that are actually electric motorcycles and speed are the core issues that need addressing however, it is already clear in current law that these motorcycles are not road legal by any means and are restricted to private property use only.
“Clear minimum age guidance, parental accountability and consistent speed-based rules across states would go a long way to reducing risks without penalising responsible adult riders.”
Mr Keats said the term e-bike was being used a generic term to describe vehicles from legal pedal-assist bicycles to high-powered electric motorcycles, scooters and even modified devices.
“These are fundamentally different products and grouping them together makes it difficult for the public to understand what’s actually happening,” he said.
Mr Keats said a majority of Ampd Bros’ customers were adults who used an e-bikes to commute or recreationally.
“These are everyday, responsible users purchasing for practical reasons.
“Legal e-bikes remain a safe, practical and widely used transport option for adults across Australia.
“Unified rules, improved data categorisation and better infrastructure are the most effective ways to support safety moving forward.”
It comes as Gold Coast father Jason Gagg advocates for e-mobility safety reforms to be fast-tracked through Queensland parliament before Christmas after his 17-year-old son Hudson died in an e-bike crash at Tallebugera in September.
The Crisafulli government said it would wait for the outcome of a parliamentary inquiry into the devices, which is due in March next year, before passing legislation despite repeated calls for urgent action to be taken.
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Contact chelsea.bunting@news.com.au
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Originally published as Calls for e-bike permits grow amid safety fears on Gold Coast
