The e-bike revolution is sweeping across Australia, offering a greener, more efficient mode of transport that’s capturing the hearts of the young and the young at heart. These electric-powered bicycles are celebrated for their convenience, speed, and affordability, making them a trendy choice for eco-conscious commuters and thrill-seekers alike. However, beneath the surface of this modern mobility trend lies a growing crisis that many Australians are blissfully unaware of.
As e-bikes gain popularity, there has been a disturbing rise in the number of serious injuries and fatalities associated with their use. The problem isn’t confined to the stereotypical image of reckless riders who ignore road rules or modify their bikes illegally. Even law-abiding citizens are finding themselves in perilous situations, raising questions about the safety of these vehicles on our roads and footpaths.
The statistics are alarming. In Queensland, a tragic incident involving a five-year-old boy who was hit and dragged by an e-bike travelling at 40 km/h has brought national attention to the issue. The state witnessed a quadrupling of deaths related to personal mobility devices, including e-bikes, from the previous year, with over 3000 emergency department presentations. Victoria has also reported a significant increase in e-bike and e-scooter accidents, with the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) noting a rise in emergency department presentations related to e-bike injuries from 0.2 to 3.4 per 100,000 population over six years.
The most common injuries involve fractures to the upper limbs, wrists, and elbows, followed by head and neck injuries. Young males aged 15-24 are the most likely to be injured in an e-bike accident. Yet, despite these concerning figures, experts warn that the true extent of the problem may be even greater due to inconsistent reporting and a lack of detailed data.
The VISU report acknowledges limitations in its scope, and the Jamieson Trauma Institute does not collect e-bike data because they do not fall under Queensland’s definition of Personal Mobility Devices. Associate Professor Milad Haghani from the University of Melbourne emphasises the importance of accurate data for developing well-informed policies, rather than relying on trial and error, which can be risky.
The dangers are not limited to adults. There’s a growing concern over children riding high-powered e-bikes and illegally modified versions that can reach speeds of up to 80km/h, well above the legal limit of 25km/h. Parents are often unaware that these vehicles are illegal to ride outside private property without registration and a licensed rider. Queensland regulations require e-bike riders to be over 16 to operate alone and adhere to strict speed limits – 12 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h on roads.
In response to the surge in incidents, Queensland police launched Operation Zappo Stoppie, resulting in numerous charges and bike impounds. Independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton has called for greater awareness and enforcement, urging the community to report any non-compliant behaviours to assist police in identifying problem areas.
Australia’s cities are ill-equipped to handle the increasing number of e-bikes, according to Haghani. Shared infrastructure for micro-mobility modes is lacking, and cycling lanes are often not designed for the higher speeds of e-bikes. He suggests prioritising dedicated infrastructure, such as separated bike and e-bike lanes, and integrating multi-modal transport hubs to improve safety.
However, infrastructure improvements alone are not enough. Effective solutions must also include empirically informed regulations and enforcement, such as speed controls. The debate over how to regulate e-bikes has led some Australian states to ban them from footpaths, pushing riders onto congested roads and shared bike lanes. While this may seem like a step in the right direction, the effectiveness of such measures depends on the availability of safe cycling infrastructure.
What steps do you think should be taken to make e-bike usage safer for everyone? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we look forward to the conversation!
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My Thoughts: Ban E-Bikes completely and allow E-Scooters in Bike Lanes, not on footpaths. A person must be 16 years or older to use an E-Scooter outside of private property. These E-Bikes are just as a dangerous a fire hazard as the scooters.
I live in a regional area and I own an Ebike. I do love my ebike as well as my normal bike. We have just come back from a week in the Wollongong area – OMG, Now that reminded me of Amsterdam. In the Gong – school start time and the weekends was very dangerous to walk on the coast walking/Bike track and I can see how easy an accident can happen. Don’t know the answer to this as the Government/Council can’t fix the roads amongst most other things. Rego of bikes won’t work as there are not enough resources to police the coastal bike tracks. And who’s going to check there speed. Authorities use contractors to police the speed in cars these days. I think this only going to get worse!