Why Aussies are taking up electric bikes

More than 100,000 Australians are expected to take up battery-powered bicycles this year, despite some models costing what you would pay for a new car.

Australians are leaving the car at home and buying electric bicycles in record numbers.

Figures produced by the Bicycle Industry of Australia project the number of electric bikes sold this year to exceed 100,000, doubling that of just two years ago.

And some people are paying up to $20,000 for a top-of-the-line model.

BIA general manager Peter Bourke said battery-assisted bikes made sense in congested cities where parking was at a premium.

Electric bikes are increasing in popularity.

“You’ve always got the rock-star park out the front of your destination,” he said.

They were also attracting new people to cycling.

“E-bikes allow people to get up the hills. They give the confidence to finish a ride, so therefore they are willing to start it.

“They allow people to arrive at a destination without sweating. People who ride e-bikes ride more often and they ride further – it opens up the ability for people to ride to so many more people.”

Popular e-bikes range from $2000 to $20,000. Photo: Christophe Gateau/DPA

Mr Bourke said electric bikes provided assistance to cyclists rather than doing all the work for them. Australian laws limit the amount of power bikes can provide, and require motors to stop providing power once the bike reaches 25km/h.

Most examples are priced between $2000 and $20,000, although there are outliers at either end of the market.

“For a lot of people it replaces a second car in the house,” he said.

“We have always said that comparing an $8000 bike to an old bomb is unfair. Compare it to a BMW or Mercedes. The person who spends $8000 on an e-bike probably spends $120,000 on a car.”

As with cars, electric bike customers can choose to buy one outright, pay it off in regular instalments or choose a lease arrangement that includes tyres and maintenance.

Melbourne-based business Lug + Carrie has more than 1500 customers who pay about $50 a week to ride an electric bike.

Monique Svenson rides her e-bike to work at her Young Bondi store every day. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Bondi small business owner Monique Svenson has leased one of their electric bikes since the start of 2022.

“I absolutely love that bike,” she said.

“I ride my bike to work every day, I drop my kids off at school and often go to the post office a few times a week as well.

“Everywhere around here has 40km/h or 50km/h limits. In the morning when it’s busy you’re travelling the same speed as traffic anyway.”

The mother of two does not have access to off-street parking, making it tricky to use the family car for errands.

“I’ve never had a problem getting my kids on that bike,” she said.

“But it’s an absolute nightmare having to get in the car every time.

“Parking in Bondi is a nightmare and lots of people don’t enjoy driving in the city.”

Originally published as Why Aussies are taking up electric bikes