Darwin petrol prices push commuters to search for alternative modes of transport like e-bikes

With fuel prices soaring over the last month, a local bike shop has seen a noticeable increase in e-bike purchases and interest from commuters.

THE exponential climb in fuel costs at the bowser has Territorians turning to alternative modes of transport to pinch pennies on their daily commute.

E-bikes have become all the rage in saving costs for daily commuters in the Top End with a small Coconut Grove bike shop experiencing a rise in customers interested in e-bikes.

As fuel prices are close to reaching unprecedented levels, Bikes to Fit salesman Nigel Withers estimated a 20 to 30 per cent e-bike sale increase over the last month.

“We’re getting a lot of people coming in and inquiring about the price, how far they go, can they use them as a means of transport,” Mr Withers said.

Nigel Withers with his best selling e-bike as fuel prices begin to bite. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

“For example, people are coming in and saying: ‘Well with the price of fuel going up, it’s something I’ve always wanted to look into’, and now it’s really sparked a greater interest.”

Now you may ask, what is an e-bike?

Well, what makes an e-bike different to the normal, manual, pedal-powered option is it’s battery-powered “assist” function that comes via peddling.

The entry level e-bike for sale at Bikes to Fit shop is $2499.

If a person is paying an average of $80 of fuel a week and swapped out the four-wheel commute to a two-wheel one, the bike would pay itself off in just over 31-weeks.

Mr Withers said people who purely ride bikes for exercise were still more interested in the standard bike, but it was the commuter who was showing greater interest in e-bikes when visiting the store.

“It’s people who say they drive a car 10k to work and back everyday, they think: ‘Maybe if I jumped on an e-bike it’s going to be cheaper for me to do it’,” he said.

“E-bikes can still give you a little bit of exercise, you are getting something out of it, you still have to pedal, they’re not a motorcycle where you just take off, you are required to actually pedal.”

Bikes to Fit salesman Nigel Withers says there has been a spike in interest from customers about e-bikes. Picture: Floss Adams.

Mr Withers said e-bikes had become a “worldwide phenonmeon” and created a “huge demand for bikes”.

An avid advocate for riding bikes, Mr Withers asked: “What else can you do where you are exercising while creating your own breeze?”

“With us here in Darwin with the heat, it’s a brilliant way of getting out there and doing something... and staying cool.”

E-Scooter usage jumps

TERRITORIANS are swapping four wheels for two, hoping to avoid the petrol pump as prices linger over $2 a litre.

Australian e-bike and scooter usage has jumped by 15 per cent over the past two weeks according to Neuron Mobility, and Darwin is no exception with a 12.5 per cent jump.

Coconut Grove resident Mei Li Chang said she was hopping on an e-bike at least twice a week and her reliance on them was growing as fuel prices remained high

“I own a Mitsubishi Pajero and as you can imagine, it has not been the most cost-friendly option while petrol prices are so high,” Ms Chang said.

Ms Chang said a $99 monthly pass meant her daily rides cost an average of $3 a day — a nominal fee as the petrol bowser tips to over $2 a litre. She said the flow on effects of the high petrol pump would have their impact on local businesses.

“If Neuron wasn’t around and petrol prices continued at this rate, many of my trips I just wouldn’t make at all,” Ms Chang said.

“I’m glad that I can continue to explore the city and support the local shop owners without having to spend a fortune to get there.”

More Darwinites are using e-scooters as a result of increasing fuel prices Nicola Wickramaratne (R) and Mei Li Chang are locals who have turned to e-scooters. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Darwin resident Nicola Wickramaratne also said she ditched her car for a short scoot into town.

“I have a car however I am doing my best to use it less,” Ms Wickramaratne said.

“The cost of running my car is increasing drastically, especially with the increment of petrol prices.”

Ms Wickramaratne said she initially chose to use the scooters for enjoyment and the environment but the cost of parking and rising fuel prices have only solidified her decision.

Neuron Mobility Head of Australia and New Zealand Richard Hannah said more Territorians were reconsidering their daily commute.

“With increasing petrol prices, and the reduced availability of fuel, people are certainly considering how they travel,” he said.

More Darwinites are using e-scooters as a result of increasing fuel prices Nicola Wickramaratne (L) and Mei Li Chang are locals who have turned to e-scooters. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“We are seeing our e-scooter trips continuing to increase in Darwin and we expect this number to continue if petrol prices continue to rise,” Mr Hannah said.

“E-scooters are a great alternative to cars, they reduce congestion and emissions, provide a valuable link to public transport, and also support the city’s sustainability goals.”

And Mr Hannah said the switch from cars to scooters was saving more than just the hip pocket, with 56 per cent of Darwin trips replacing cars and therefore reducing traffic congestion and saving an estimated 240 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Neuron e-scooters can be used in the Darwin CBD area, extending to Fannie Bay. The e-bike zone includes Parap, Nightcliff, Casuarina, Leanyer and Wulagi.

Originally published as Darwin petrol prices push commuters to search for alternative modes of transport like e-bikes