NSW e-bike riders and operators are facing major changes from today as landmark laws aimed at clearing cluttered footpaths and improving safety come into effect.
In an Australian first, shared e-bike operators must now receive approval from Transport for NSW and authorisation from councils and other relevant authorities before providing their services.
Previously, operators could deploy shared e-bikes without needing approval from authorities.
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City residents have long complained about e-bikes being discarded on footpaths. Source: Yahoo News Australia
Tough new rules for shared e-bike operators
Under the new laws, operators must meet statewide standards for insurance, helmets, device safety and identification, and provide data on trips, incidents, and complaints.
They must also ensure e-bikes don’t block footpaths, crossings, public transport stops or fire exits, with fines of up to $55,000 for breaches.
Councils will be able to issue penalties when operators fail to meet the new requirements, while Transport for NSW can suspend or revoke approvals.
Councils and other authorities will also have the power to create dedicated e-bike parking areas, as well as “no-go” and “go-slow” zones.
Fleet caps will be introduced to ensure the number of shared e-bikes in each area reflects factors such as demand and operator performance.
The reforms will target illegal private e-bikes, giving NSW Police powers to seize and crush devices while cutting the power limit from 500 watts to 250 watts. Source: NSW Police
‘The laws you’ve been waiting for’
Transport Minister John Graham said the reforms would address growing community frustration over e-bikes being left in inappropriate locations.
“If you’re sick of e-bikes cluttering up your streets, these are the laws you’ve been waiting for,” he said.
“But likewise, if you’re someone who really enjoys using shared e-bikes these laws will make them safer and more reliable.”
The NSW Government will also introduce a per-trip levy on shared e-bike operators to fund a $6.6 million grant program that provides councils with grants of up to $200,000 for e-bike parking infrastructure.
NSW will also introduce a minimum riding age and tougher lithium-ion battery standards, while converted e-bikes will be banned from trains and Metro services.
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Brendan Lang said that his friend Mitch was fined about $700 by Queensland Police after being stopped while riding an e-bike without a speed limiter. Source: Facebook/GetOffGas
Crackdown on private e-bikes
The reforms also target illegal private e-bikes, giving NSW Police powers to seize and crush devices while cutting the power limit from 500 watts to 250 watts.
New standards will also ensure e-bikes are pedalled, and their power output cannot be tampered with.
Brendan Lang previously told Yahoo News that his friend Mitch was fined about $700 by Queensland Police after being stopped while riding an e-bike without a speed limiter.
Brendan said Mitch had been riding at the correct speed, wearing a helmet and was not riding dangerously.
“The punishment does not fit the crime,” he said.
“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.”
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