A retired GP is calling for improved pedestrian safety after two near-misses with e-bike riders outside a Thirroul supermarket.
In a letter to Wollongong City Council, Helen Voysey asked that notices be issued in busy shopping areas, urging bike riders to dismount when passing through walkways.
“On the last occasion, there were two electrified motor bikes riding in close proximity to each other, neither being pedalled, both under motor control only. I stepped out of the IGA with my shopping, and nearly collided with the first bike, the second having to swerve to miss me, and in doing so nearly hit another shopper,” she wrote in a letter sent to all local councillors.
“Having had two hip replacements, and being a retired GP in my early 70s, I cannot afford to suffer an injury when simply doing my shopping.”
Helen’s request follows many shared concerns from pedestrians in the area, including Thirroul shoppers Denise Russell and Peter Needham, who experienced similar incidents on pavements in the suburb’s shopping precinct.
“You just lose your peace of mind,” Denise says. “Coming out of IGA here, you’re juggling your credit card and your shopping and everything, and there were two bikes coming quite fast towards me. Fortunately, I wasn’t injured, but it was terrifying.
“You’re walking in a pedestrian area. That should be quite a peaceful thing, and then all the time, you’re having to stay vigilant, or scared that something awful is going to happen.”
Shopper Peter Needham has had near-misses with e-bikes outside Thirroul Plaza. Photo: Tyneesha Williams.
Under current NSW law, e-bikes are legal on public roads and shared paths only if they are “pedal-assist” models, with motors that cut out at a maximum speed of 25km/h. Laws taking effect in August will lower motor power caps to 250W in line with the European EN15194 standard. Age restrictions for riders will be introduced and NSW Police will have powers to seize and crush non-compliant e-bikes.
The vehicles that concern Helen and Denise are not battery-assisted pedal bikes or traditional bicycles, but throttle-only devices that cannot be legally registered or insured.
“Shopping centre pavements are not cycleways,” Helen says. “There are often many people coming to and fro – particularly at a site like the Thirroul IGA. Bikes speeding are a danger to children, the elderly and the frail.
“They are motor bikes – bikes with an electric motor – and unlike all other motor vehicles, they have no registration and no third party insurance.
“If anyone is injured by these electric motor bikes, they have no recourse to recompense for their injuries. If I was hit by one of these, it could be extremely serious for me.”
With support from members of the community and the Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG), which acts as Neighbourhood Forum 3, Helen is advocating for immediate measures to improve pedestrian safety at a local level. NIRAG secretary Ross Dearden is calling for greater regulation of ebike registration and speed limits controlled by the state government, while Helen focuses on the initial problem of pedestrian safety on walkways.
“Coming regulation will not address this problem. There needs to be an education campaign for young people using these bikes, including where it is appropriate to ride and where it is not,” Helen says.
“If riding on the road, knowledge of the road rules is essential for their safety as well. We need to get the balance right, for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
“We asked council if action will be taken to require e-bike riders to dismount in shopping centres.”
A council spokesperson said rules and laws regarding e-bike use, including illegal or inappropriate use, were set by the NSW government and enforced by NSW Police.
“Council works with Transport for NSW and NSW Police to educate our community about road and bike safety, including the use of e-bikes,” they said.
“E-bikes are a sustainable and active mode of transport in our community, but it’s important that riders follow road rules and ride responsibly to keep themselves and everyone else safe.
“Like other bike riders, legal e-bike riders can ride on shared paths, bike paths and roads. Riders are also permitted to ride on footpaths if they’re under the age of 16, or if they are a guardian supervising someone under the age of 16. If a path is on private land, the landowner can define whether e-bikes are permitted.
“The footpath along Lawrence Hargrave Drive adjoining Thirroul IGA is not a designated shared path. As such, it is currently illegal to ride an e-bike there unless the rider is under 16 years of age or accompanying a rider under 16 years of age. These rules are enforced by NSW Police.
“Council does not currently support a blanket ban around shopping centres as the suitability of e-bikes, bikes, scooters and pedestrians sharing the space is dependent on a variety of considerations.”
Visit the Transport for NSW website and learn more about riding e-bikes: Learn about e-bikes in NSW
