Contentious speed limits proposed for e-bikes and e-scooters in Queensland should be watered down, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended.
The proposed blanket 10 km/h speed limit should instead only apply in high pedestrian zones and not on shared paths, the committee said.
However, other notable changes, including a requirement that all riders hold at least a learner’s licence, and that under-16s be banned from using devices, have been given the green light.
The state development, infrastructure and works committee tasked with considering sweeping reforms to e-mobility use in Queensland received more than 3,000 submissions.
It is the same committee that conducted the inquiry into e-mobility safety in Queensland and made 28 recommendations to Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg in March.
The committee recommended amendments that would apply a 10km/h speed limit to all footpaths in high pedestrian areas, with a clear definition of where this applies.
It has also recommended the Department of Transport and Main Roads consider a speed limit of 10km/h on other footpaths when riders are travelling within 10 metres of a pedestrian.
The committee recommended the 10km/h limit not apply to shared paths unless otherwise signed, and that the department consider a limit of 15km/h within 10 metres of a pedestrian on shared paths.
More than 100 e-bike riders and regular cyclists took to Brisbane’s Story Bridge on Thursday night to show their opposition to the proposed laws.
Kathryn Good says limiting e-mobility devices to 10km/h on footpaths would extend commute times. (ABC News: Alex Brewster)
Organiser Kathryn Good said it was their last chance to rail against an “impractical and silly law” ahead of the committee report release.
“It’s going to turn a 10-minute commute into a 40-minute commute for most people,” she said of the 10 km/h proposal.
“The fight is not over once the committee report is released because it’s still got to go through parliament and that’s still a big unknown.”
A sign at a protest ride on Thursday against the proposed e-mobility laws. (ABC News: Alex Brewster)
Licence exemption for people with disabilities recommended
Committee chair Jim McDonald said in the report the committee stood by its recommendation that riders hold at least a learner’s licence despite considerable discussion.
“This requirement remains important due to medical evidence indicating a higher risk among those under 16 years of age and who may not yet have the cognitive or motor skills required to safely operate e-mobility devices in dynamic environments,” he said.
However, the committee has recommended the bill be amended to allow for people who cannot hold a driver’s licence because of a disability, medical condition or age, but are still abe to safely ride, be allowed to.
E-bikes would be illegal for people who are not medically fit to drive under the proposed laws. (ABC News: Kenji Sato)
The licence mandate was raised as a concern by many groups including the Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion.
“The bill in its current form creates significant barriers to safe use of e-bikes and e-scooters for people with disability – impacting their ability to independently access the community, the outdoors and spend time with family and friends,” it said in its submission.
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“For many people with disability, e-mobility is not a luxury, it provides independence to access their community, enjoy the outdoors and participate in life in a way that their disability would otherwise prevent.”
The committee also said proposed changes should be broadened so as to allow for bikes that were compliant at the time of manufacture to remain legal.
Bicycle Queensland said in its submission the changes as initially proposed would have resulted in more than 90 per cent of the 230,000 legal e-bikes sold in the state since 2017 becoming non-compliant.
Among the committee’s nine recommendations were the establishment of a scheme to certify and label currently compliant e-bikes at minimal cost, and an exemption for e-mobility devices that do not meet the current standard but are limited to 25km/h and 250 watts, such as e-trikes, from certification requirements.
Mr Mickelberg has previously said the proposed laws would come into effect from July 1, subject to the parliamentary process, with a six-month transition period.
The committee has recommended the government reviews the proposed laws after 12 months.