Electric bikes zooming for a review

March 30, 2017

Electric bikes zooming for a review

A cyclist along Auckland’s pink path cycleway. Photo: Arun Jeram

Public concerns about the misuse of electric bikes have prompted an investigation into their safety by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

Traffic engineering and planning consultancy ViaStrada Ltd is conducting the research on behalf of NZTA. Its report, due to be released in the next few months, will focus on the safety and standards of e-bikes and other low powered vehicles, such as mobility scooters, personal transporters, and e-unicycles.

John Lieswyn, principal transportation planner at ViaStrada, said e-bikes were becoming increasingly popular.

“They enable people to ride bikes who otherwise wouldn’t because of fitness requirements, long distances to travel, or hilly terrain.”

But, as opposed to overseas where e-bikes are regulated according to the age of the rider, and speed and weight of the bike, currently, the only regulation in New Zealand relates to the power of an e-bike motor, which is limited to 300W. With current technologies, it is possible for e-bikes to be ridden at well over 40km/h.

Although such high speeds are possible on conventional pushbikes, the ease at which e-bikes can reach these speeds can cause problems for other road users who are not used to seeing bicycles travel consistently fast.

Mr Lieswyn said this situation needs to be addressed.

“It is important New Zealand quickly regulates the use of e-bikes, so that the potential harm is minimised and the positive benefits can continue to be enjoyed.”

Blair Ratu, accounts manager at Electric Bikes New Zealand, believes the current way e-bikes are regulated is fine and is anxious about what effect changing the regulations may have. He is aware, however, that public perception of e-bikes is not all favourable.

“People have polarising opinions,” he said. “They’re either 100 per cent for it, or 100 per cent against it.”

Mr Lieswyn agreed there were a wide range of views towards e-bikes.

“The people who are not supportive generally fear that you’re going to have shared paths and pedestrian facilities overrun with e-bikes, which is a legitimate concern.”

He cited New York City where officials reacted to a spate of complaints of delivery drivers using e-bikes recklessly by banning the bikes completely.

While this was unlikely to happen in New Zealand, both men agreed this was not a desirable outcome.

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