Matt Shirvington:
A nationwide crackdown on unsafe e‑bikes is on the way, with the government announcing a new national safety standard for all e‑mobility devices. It’s a move that’s set to target the sale of unsafe products that fail to comply with current laws, limiting e‑bikes to a maximum speed of 25 km/h and 250‑watt motors.
The ACCC will develop new rules and regulations under consumer law consisting across the whole country. For more, we’re joined by Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh. Good morning to you.
Andrew Leigh:
Good morning Matt.
Shirvington:
Until now, it’s been legal to purchase high‑speed e‑bikes, but illegal to ride them on the roads. What’s the logic behind that?
Leigh:
Well, this is about setting a national standard that ensures that Australians can get the benefits of e‑bikes. E‑bikes are a great addition to our transport network, reducing congestion, allowing people to enjoy the great outdoors. But we’ve got these high‑powered e‑bikes that are causing accidents and even deaths on our roads. We need to crack down on those. So, this new safety standard will ensure that people can’t be riding those super fast bikes, high powered bikes or bikes that are easily modified. So, we’ll get the benefits of e‑bikes but we won’t have bikes being sold that are a danger on the roads.
Shirvington:
We’ve been reporting on those deaths related to these e‑scooters and e‑bikes over the last couple of years. Why has it taken so long to change the law?
Leigh:
Well, we’re moving quickly with states and territories. This is a collaborative approach that the ACCC is going to be leading. It’s an important reform in getting in place this standard for sale. We want more e‑bikes out on the road, but we want them to be safe e‑bikes. E‑bikes can be a great way of people getting into cycling or extending their cycling career. But people need to feel safe on the road and the way in which we do that is by ensuring we don’t have these super fast, overpowered, easily modified bikes.
Shirvington:
Has the horse bolted? What do you plan to do about all the illegal e‑bikes already out there?
Leigh:
Well, there’s work underway through Transport Ministers. They’ve already put in place the European standard which regulates what can be ridden on the road. This is about what can be sold, Matt. And so we’re addressing both sides of the challenge, making sure that when you buy a bike that it’s safe for you and everyone else, and making sure that when authorities are out there regulating who’s riding the bikes that they’ve got the same set of rules.
Shirvington:
Andrew Leigh, thanks for your time.
Leigh:
Thanks so much, Matt.