Northern beaches: Urgent meeting call to fix rules for ‘dangerous’ e-bike riders

A surge in complaints about ‘dangerous’ e-bike riders on the northern beaches has prompted a renewed call for state officials to toughen up the rules and regulations.

Two girls on e-bikes on the shared pedestrian path on Pittwater Rd, Manly, on Tuesday. There are increasing concerns about the speed and use of the bikes on paths, causing safety issues for pedestrians. Picture: Manly Daily

A spike in complaints about electric-powered “fat bikes” being ridden dangerously on the northern beaches has prompted a call for the council to arrange an urgent meeting with state government officials to make the bikes safer.

The plea for Transport for NSW to toughen up road rules and regulations around e-bike use on pedestrian paths — and the speed they travel — would be high on the meeting agenda.

Liberal councillor David Walton, with the backing of Liberal deputy mayor Georgia Ryburn, has lodged a notice of motion, to be debated at next Tuesday’s council meeting, to convene a meeting with Transport officials, police and local state MPs.

A man, wearing thongs and no helmet, on an e-bike on the shared path along Pittwater Rd, Manly. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Cr Walton’s motion comes seven months after the council’s safety audit, conducted in collaboration with Northern Beaches Police, into problems linked to the explosion in the use of e-bikes.

The audit confirmed concerns about the risk of death or serious injury to walkers by the growing use, size and speed of the popular bikes, with riders clocked doing over 40km/h on the Manly seafront.

Two riders on e-bikes on the corner of Pittwater Rd and Oliver st, Freshwater, on Tuesday. Picture: Manly Daily

And the most complained about riders in the audit were aged under 16.

Last year the council contacted TfNSW and Roads Minister John Graham, urging them to review relevant road rules, with a special focus on speeding of e-bikes on shared paths; e-bike riders approaching and passing pedestrians safely and; tampering with e-bikes to make them go faster.

A boy on an e-bike on a footpath along Oliver St, Freshwater, on Monday. Picture: Manly Daily

But Cr Walton said on Tuesday that a recent upsurge in complaints and lack of action by Transport officials, prompted his urgent notice of motion.

“There is a fear, especially among more mature-aged residents, that they are going to get hit,” Cr Walton said.

Secondary school students on an e-bike on a shared path in Manly, without helmets, where locals have been complaining about bikes speeding along footpaths at up to 30km/h. Picture: Manly Daily

“We are receiving hundreds and hundreds of complaints from the public about some users of e-bikes.

“I encourage the use of electric bikes … but there is a small percentage of riders who are not riding them properly, riding dangerously and are tampering with the devices to stop the speed limiting.”

A youth on an e-bike on Allambie Rd, Allambie Heights, on Monday. Picture: Manly Daily

Cr Walton said changes needed to be made to allow police, and possibly council rangers, to better regulate the speed of e-bikes because NSW state regulations and laws had not kept up with the new technology.

“But we have had no formal response and no indication that these regulatory gaps are being addressed.

“Transport for NSW, and thus, the NSW Government, are just dragging the chain on this.”

A TfNSW spokesman said it regularly liaises with police as the key agency responsible for enforcement on NSW roads and has a range of road safety public education materials relevant to bicycle riders, including e-bike riders.

“These materials are regularly reviewed and enhanced as required.”

Two girls on an e-bike at the corner of Pittwater and Kentwell roads, North Manly, on Tuesday. Picture: Manly Daily.

THE RULES:

The rider must primarily propel these bikes – a motor can’t be the only source propelling it. The electric motor should only help the rider when going uphill or facing strong winds.

The electric motor should not assist the rider when the bike is travelling more than 25km/h, but does not prevent the rider travelling faster with their own pedalling, or when going downhill.

E-bike riders must follow the same rules as those for standard bicycles including not being allowed on footpaths if aged 16 years and over unless they are an adult supervising a child under the age of 16 or accompanying a child under the age of 16.

E-bike riders must wear a helmet

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