Source : Perth Now news
Bike riders in one state will forced to pay up if they choose to own and ride an e-bike.
To meet new safety standards announced by the Queensland government, riders will be required to pay $50 for a formal assessment of their bike plus $20 for a compliance label and registration.
The new rules are part of the Electrically Power-Assisted Cycle Assurance Scheme which came into effect on Monday.
Under the scheme, eligible e-bikes made before July 1st this year which have a maximum of 250 watts continuous motor power and a maximum assisted speed limit of 25 km/h will need to be verified.
Eligible e-trikes and e-bikes designed or modified for riders with a disability or medical condition are included.
Compliant e-bikes under the EN 15194 certification do not need to be verified under the scheme.
High-powered, high-speed or modified devices illegal in Queensland are not included in the scheme.
The government said a transition period will be in place to give owners time to get their devices labelled.
The Queensland government has a list of authorised verifiers on their website which “will continue to grow over time”.
Currently authorised verifiers are located in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Moreton Bay and Ipswich.
“If you live in a rural or remote area without reasonable access to an authorised verifier, alternative arrangements will be available,” the government said.
From March 1, next year a compliance label will be required to ride an e-bike in public.
Not-for-profit Bicycle Queensland said they have consistently argued for a clear definition of legal e-bikes, but do not believe riders should be charged.
“While verification may provide a pathway for establishing compliance, it must not create unnecessary financial or administrative barriers for people who choose to ride safe, legal e-bikes,” Bicycle Queensland said in a statement.
“BQ will continue to engage with the Queensland Government as the scheme is implemented, advocating for fair treatment of riders, clarity for the bicycle industry and measures that genuinely improve safety.”
On July 1, this year Queensland police were granted increased powers to seize and destroy illegal e-bikes and e-scooters as well as increased penalties for a number of e-bike offences.
