NSW is considering a plan to halve the maximum power and top speed of ebikes, after a rider died in a collision with a garbage truck in central Sydney.
NSW Police have also issued a plea for parents who were considering buying an ebike as a Christmas gift for their child to consider buying a legal bike instead of the more powerful and dangerous models.
NSW Premier Chris Minns told 2GB radio on Tuesday morning that – in response to concerns raised before the latest death – the state government was considering “serious changes” to the maximum power of legal ebikes.
Minns said the government currently allows ebikes with up to 500 watts of power on the road. If the new rules are implemented, it will be limited to 250 watts. He said:
“During my job we spent a lot of time on the road and we saw some kids on bikes that are like motorcycles,” the premier said. “They can go as fast as a car, and as a result, people can get hurt.”
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“This means the highest limit you can travel at is currently 50 to 60 km/h. This will be reduced (under the proposed new rules) to 25 to 30 km/h.”
Minns said he hopes change can be made in the coming months not through legislation, but through regulation.
“We need change and we want to make it,” he said.
An ebike rider has died after colliding with a garbage truck in Ultimo in inner Sydney about 6am on Tuesday, NSW Police said.
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The rider, a man in his 30s, was treated by paramedics at the scene, but died. The truck driver, a 28-year-old man, was taken to hospital for mandatory tests.
Police have established the crime scene and started investigation. No charges were filed.
On Tuesday NSW Police urged parents to only buy legal ebikes for their children for Christmas this year, saying officers were cracking down on modified bikes and dangerous rides.
Assistant Commissioner David Driver, Commander of the Traffic and Highway Patrol, said parents have a responsibility to ensure any purchases are not modified and to ensure their children are able to ride a bike safely before going on the road or footpath.
“Don’t give in to pressure from your children, peers or salespeople to buy the most powerful bike,” he said in a statement. “The police do not want anyone to make a mistake that could cost them their life or cause serious injury.
“We’ve seen more modified bikes and powerful motors. We need riders to understand the dangers of riding in the dark on a single wheel, without a helmet or without lights.”
He said parents need to be aware of how easy it can be to modify ebikes.
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