A ban on children under 16 riding e-bikes and e-scooters has been described by one Queensland bicycle retailer as “ridiculous”, while another has expressed concerns it could also impact on the mobility of children with disabilities.
Flight Centre managing director Graham Turner, whose travel giant is the major shareholder in bicycle retailer 99 Bikes, said the government’s focus should be on high-powered illegally imported bikes rather than the pedal-assisted less powerful bikes sold by many retailers.
A report into e-mobility safety has recommended children under 16 should be banned from riding e-bikes and e-scooters in Queensland, and said riders should be required to hold a learner’s licence.
The recommendations came after 12 people lost their lives in e-mobility-related incidents in Queensland last year and more than 6,300 people presented to emergency departments with injuries.
Graham Turner says focus should be on banning high-powered e-bikes. (ABC News: Chris Gillette)
“There’s a very big difference between the legal ones and the illegal ones in terms of power and speed,” Mr Turner said.
He said pedal-assisted bikes generally only had a top speed of 25 kilometres per hour while illegal ones were basically “electric motorbikes” with top speeds in excess of 60km/h.
“It’s pretty obvious that the police should crack down on these e-bikes and they also should be cracking down on sellers and the importers.
“It certainly needs some regulation … but it would be ridiculous if they banned all e-bikes for people under 16.”
Mr Turner said he believed a loophole that allowed riders to use the high-powered bikes in their own backyard should also be closed.
Concerns over mobility
Richard and Andrea Herklots, owners of EveryBody eBikes Brisbane, said a blanket ban on e-bikes also could potentially impact young people with disabilities who used them to increase mobility.
Ms Herklots, whose company modifies e-bikes for children with disabilities including muscular dystrophy, heart and lung ailments, said she was also concerned the proposed ban could impact on funding for such vehicles.
Richard and Andrea Herklots, of Everybody e-Bikes, are concerned about the impact of proposed e-bike and e-scooter laws. (Supplied)
“It [could mean] kids will be pushed into electric wheelchairs and things like that,” said Ms Herklots. “Electric wheelchairs are great, but there’s a lot of kids out that just want to be able to jump on a bike.”
“It changes their lives because they can then ride with their friends.”
The report said the proposed ban would not apply to e-wheelchairs and other accessibility devices.
But Ms Herklots said she thought there needed to be a more specific exclusion for e-bikes and trikes used by children with disabilities.
“People with multiple sclerosis sometimes can still ride a two-wheel bike but need help with power as they get hot and can fatigue very quickly,” she said.
“There needs to be an exemption of some sort that allows the rider to use the device even if the disability is invisible.”
Bicycle Queensland chief executive Matthew Burke concerned about impact of ban. (ABC News: Liz Pickering)
Bicycle Queensland chief executive Matthew Burke was concerned about the impacts of the proposed licensing recommendation, should it be introduced.
He said there could be a “whole heap of unintended consequences” on both businesses and riders.
Mr Burke also said the proposed changes could impact international students, who often secured gig economy jobs like delivering food, and relied upon e-bikes or e-scooters for their modes of transport.
“It’s an extra barrier to work for that cohort. We’re dead against this,” Mr Burke said.
Transport minister willing to make ‘hard decisions’
When asked about criticisms of the recommendations, Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg had said “hard decisions” needed to be made.
“I’m not afraid of making decisions that may not be universally popular if they address the core of community safety concerns,” he said.
“I’m prepared to consider the recommendation that’s been made.”
Under 16s should be banned from e-scooters and e-bikes, report says
For Samantha Willis, who has co-owned Electric Bikes Brisbane since 2013, cracking down on illegal and non-compliant bikes was welcome.
Ms Willis said while selling e-bikes to people aged under 16 was not a huge part of her business, she was concerned some of the recommendations simply reduced access to e-mobility devices and were “a little harsh”.
“I do feel a bit sad,” she explained.
“I think that it is really going to limit some of the strategic intent around e-mobility, the ability for children to get to school, all that sort of stuff.”
Samantha Willis from Electric Bikes Brisbane saus some of the recommendation were a “little harsh”. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Both Neuron and Lime, who run shared scooter and bike schemes in Queensland, were contacted for comment.
In Queensland, riders of hired e-scooters are already required to be aged over 16 for a Neuron scooter and 18 for a Lime bike or scooter.
A spokesman for e-scooter hire company Neuron said it was important that any future regulatory framework maintained accessibility for people who may not hold a drivers licence, are unable to drive, or do not have access to a car.
“Safety is fundamental to the success of rental e-mobility, and we support clear, consistent statewide regulations that improve safety outcomes while ensuring the service remains accessible and beneficial to riders and the wider community,” they said.
“We look forward to working closely with the Queensland government and stakeholders as the recommendations are considered.”
