New rules for shared pathways are among a suite of recommendations for e-mobility devices from a NSW parliamentary inquiry. Photo: Destination Kiama.
Reports of near-collisions between drivers and young riders pop up regularly on community Facebook pages, but the root cause of the conflict is a lag between technology and legislation, according to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into e-bikes and e-scooters.
The inquiry recommends a swathe of changes, from driver education for under 16s to tighter regulations and more infrastructure.
It found a lack of clear definitions about what bikes were acceptable – and where – meant police and local councils were often stuck between a rock and a hard place when it came to enforcement.
The inquiry recommended the NSW Government formally integrate e-mobility devices into the state’s existing transport legislation and infrastructure.
This would give riders clear expectations around things such as helmet use – compulsory on all bikes – and speed, as well as their own space.
President of the Illawarra Bicycle Users Group (IBUG) Edward Birt said members welcomed the proposals.
“It’s been a bit of a grey area for a while and it’s great to see the NSW Government get on with making regulations clearer for everybody,” he said.
“It all looks pretty sensible. Improved rider and driver knowledge and education would help alleviate community concerns about the safe use of these devices.
“We all have to encourage a culture where we take care of each other.”
One recommendation was NSW Police be granted the power to seize bikes that didn’t conform to safety standards, such as those which provide excessive speed or power.
A public reporting system for unsafe rider behaviour is also on the cards.
Shellharbour and Wollongong City councils have welcomed the inquiry’s recommendations.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer said the inquiry addressed community concerns and would improve safety.
“The inquiry’s recommendations focus on making public spaces safer and more accessible, while ensuring sustainable transport options remain viable,” he said.
“If implemented, these measures would support both safety and active transport.
“We encourage all e-scooter and e-bike users to familiarise themselves with the current rules, as well as the changes that may be on the horizon.”
One proposed change is e-mobility devices be allowed on footpaths and shared paths at a maximum speed of 15 km/h, with riders having to give way to pedestrians at all times.
Another is that on-road speed limits be reduced to 30 km/h in city centres, high streets, around schools, around childcare centres and playgrounds, around universities and health care centres, and 40 km/h in all other areas.
More funds for active transport infrastructure and encouragement for more people to use public transport, cycling, walking, car sharing and e-mobility were also suggested.
Avid cyclist, paramedic and Wollongong Councillor Jess Whittaker said she thought the recommendations struck the right balance of improving safety while still encouraging people to give active transport a try.
“People get really upset about kids especially on the bikes; no one wants to see a horrific accident in their community,” she said.
“We want to protect our teens, but how good would it be if kids could safely jump on their e-bikes and get themselves to and from school and footy training?
“At the moment we’re telling them they can’t go on the footpath and they don’t belong on the road.
“This change is going to take time and there are issues, but this is an opportunity to help solve our congestion problems and decarbonise transport.”
The recommendations also propose a crackdown on shared e-mobility operators.
A cap on the number of operators and a mandatory requirement to share crash data were among the suggested changes.
For users, an update of NSW’s road rules, a dedicated crash database, mandatory testing for all e-mobility device users over the age of 16, an online road rules and safety test for under 16s and stricter safety training standards for food delivery platform riders were also proposed.
To reduce battery fires, safety standards and protocols for the use, storage and charging of e-mobility device batteries and education campaigns to inform the public about safe battery usage, storage and disposal practices were suggested.
Compulsory, dedicated insurance for e-mobility users was also among the recommendations.
Read the report here.
Original Article published by Zoe Cartwright on Region Illawarra.
