More than 250 people joined a mass bike ride across the Story Bridge on April 1 to protest impending state government restrictions on legal e-bike riders.
The proposed law would introduce a speed limit of 10kmh, require riders to be licensed, and prohibits people under age 16 from riding e-bikes.
Kathryn Good from the Story Bridge Active Transport Alliance told Green Left that the issue with people riding high-powered, illegal “e-bikes” stems from the 2021 federal Coalition government decision to ease restrictions on their import.
Good said that some bikes imported since that decision are essentially “electric dirt bikes”, suitable for use on large private properties. Many “don't meet Australian design standards for motorbikes” however they are being ridden on suburban bike paths in dangerous ways at sometimes 60–70 kilometres per hour (kph).
Good says the proposed law is an “extreme” over-reaction to this problem, describing it as “unprecedented”. She said North Korea is one of the few countries in the world that had a comparable law.
Some people think that 10kph is a reasonable speed limit. However, Good said that “it is slower than jogging pace; people jogging will overtake you”. Ten kmh is “slower than a kid riding a balance bike,” she said, “and almost impossible to stay upright” if you're carrying any weight (such as a parent riding with a child in a bike trailer).
The proposed restrictions would apply to all footpaths and shared paths, or around 90% of the entire off-road cycling network in Magan-djin (including the popular Brisbane Valley Rail Trail).
Good was pleased with the “awesome” turn-out at the action, saying it was one of the largest bike riding actions in a long time.
She urged people to make submissions to the parliamentary inquiry into the proposed laws. The deadline is April 10 at 10am.
