Penelope Andrews: Am I an e-bike hater? I think so. Let me explain.
Drive through the Northern Beaches, and I pretty much guarantee you will come across a youth on an e-bike (likely no helmet and also holding a surfboard) roaring happily through the main roads with not a care in the world.
A similar story emerges for some suburbs in and around North Sydney, with the Lime bike network having expanded its bike share operations into that LGA, covering North Sydney, Crows Nest, St Leonards and Chatswood. And just a 10-minute drive from Ku-ring-gai’s LGA is Ryde, where Lime bikes have certainly made their new presence known by the site of discarded bikes strewn along footpaths.
Is it fated for the same scenario to eventually hit the streets of Ku-ring-gai? That’s what concerns me.
Generally, bike riding is good, I concede. They are a great form of active transport, taking pressure off the roads and contributing positively to the environment.
Sydney Observer spoke with two locals, Jarred (16, Cremorne) and Blake (26, former Hornsby resident).
“It’s so ridiculously easy to get around,” Jarred told Sydney Observer, “mainly because you can go on roads and paths and parks and stuff, but I do know paths aren’t the safest, so I try avoiding it. I usually only use it if it’s free.”
Blake said something similar in terms of ease, “When you do the maths, it’s a no brainer – e-bikes are the cheapest and quickest way to get around, especially in a big busy city like Sydney.”
“But the problem is when you have a mix of transport modes. If everyone had an e-bike, we’d all be doing the same thing… but when you mix cars, walkers, regular bikes, I think this is when it becomes chaotic.”
Clearly e-bikes have positives, but they can also come with a range of risks, particularly for the safety of riders and pedestrians.
In October, NSW Police conducted a joint operation with Transport for NSW across Sydney where they targeted illegal and modified e-bikes that exceeded legal speed and power limits. As a result of the operation, a total of 22 e-bikes were seized after being identified as non-compliant. One of the e-bikes seized had been modified to travel at 50km/h with several of the other e-bikes seized modified to travel over 40km/h. Police also issued nine penalty notices and four cautions.
I’m not the only local feeling rather e-bike hesitant. Ku-ring-gai Council has launched a new education campaign to encourage e-bike riders to slow down, ring their bell and share the path. Perhaps you’ve also seen their advertising signage around the local area, pointedly reminding riders of their responsibilities.
“Our shared paths and village centres are made for everyone and e-bikes are a wonderful way to get around, but because they’re fast and almost silent, they may take a pedestrian, dog or young child by surprise,” Mayor Kim Wheatley said.
After almost being wiped out by one on a local footpath near the train station at Gordon – here, here Mayor Wheatley.
Have you had an e-bike run-in while in Ku-ring-gai? Are you a fan of e-bikes and want to challenge this slander? Write to us with your opinion at editor@kamdha.com.
