An Aussie electric vehicle advocate has hit out at Queensland’s “draconian” crackdown after his mate was fined almost $700 while riding his e-bike with his son.
Brendan Lang, said his mate Mitch was riding along a Brisbane bike path when he was stopped by police and issued a fine of about $700 because his e-bike was not fitted with a speed limiter, making it non-compliant under Queensland’s ‘nation-leading’ laws.
He said Mitch was riding at the correct speed, wearing a helmet and not riding dangerously, but was still hit with the hefty penalty.
He believes the punishment was excessive and that authorities are targeting the wrong people.
“The punishment does not fit the crime,” Brendan, an electrician and renewable energy advocate, told Yahoo News.
“It’s the equivalent of a fine for running a red light just to be riding that bike under the speed limit, safely wearing a helmet.”
From July 1, bikes capable of travelling more than 25km/h without rider input are banned from public use. When riding on a shared path or footpath, the e-bike speed limit is 12km/h. You can only carry passengers if the bike is designed for it.
Mitch and his child were riding a Sun Chaser Family Cargo e-bike before police pulled him aside. Source: Sun Chaser EBikes
Queensland’s nation-leading e-bike laws
Queensland’s tougher e-mobility laws came into effect on July 1, giving police new powers to crack down on illegal and high-powered e-bikes and e-scooters.
The reforms include powers to seize illegal devices, increased penalties for a range of offences and restrictions on devices capable of travelling faster than 25km/h under motor power.
The next stage of the reforms begins on August 31, when riders aged 16 and over will need to hold a valid driver’s licence, including a learner licence, unless exempt.
Cost-of-living commuters caught up in crackdown
Brendan argues the focus should be on importers and retailers selling non-compliant bikes, rather than on everyday riders who may not realise their bikes breach the rules.
“Consumers are often not technically abreast of these things,” he explained.
“They might have heard about it in the news, and they might not even know that their bike has been impacted by that.”
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Queensland’s tougher e-mobility laws came into effect on July 1. Source: Getty Images
He said many Aussies were turning to e-bikes as a cheaper way to travel, helping families reduce reliance on cars during the cost-of-living crunch.
“It’s taking a car off the road, so it’s relieving congestion.
“It’s active transport, so it’s improving the quality of life of the users of the bikes.”
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Brendan Lang said that many Aussies were turning to e-bikes as a cheaper way to travel. Source: Supplied
Father of two shocked by steep fine
Brendan said Mitch had decided not to fight the fine because he had a young family and did not want to spend time challenging the penalty.
Instead, he paid the fine and moved on, despite believing he should have received a warning first.
“He actually thought he would just get a talking to and have a slap on the wrist once he was told that his bike was illegal,” Brendan said.
Brendan said police should focus on riders using illegally modified bikes dangerously, rather than on people simply trying to commute across town.
“They’re not doing a mono or riding on the road at 80 kilometres an hour, they’re just trying to get from place A to place B.”
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