‘Deadly serious’ code of conduct launches for teen e-bike riders

Surging complaints about “fat bikes” potentially killing or injuring pedestrians have prompted one council to introduce an Australian-first safety “code” for the often young riders of e-bikes.

NSW’s Northern Beaches Council introduced the voluntary* code after growing reports of dangerous riding behaviour that could cause “death or injury”.

The council was told that pedestrians* had been hurt when hit by the bikes and that some riders – allegedly* on illegally modified machines – were clocked travelling at 40km/hr along shared pedestrian paths.

NSW Police also confirmed it had received “hundreds of reports and complaints” about e-bikes on Sydney’s northern beaches since last July.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the code was part of a wide-ranging community campaign* to improve pedestrian and rider safety, which she hoped would be adopted by other councils across the country, and which takes effect as the council continues lobbying* the NSW Government to toughen “fat bike” road rules.

At the launch were Stella Maris College Manly students Milly Ristuccia, 16, and Adelaide Yiend, 13, whose school has been proactively* urging its students to ride safely and legally.

“You have to careful who is around you when you are riding, so everyone is safe,” Adelaide said.

The campaign includes a simple three-part code of conduct:

— Slow down to walking pace when others are on the path

— Ring your bell and call “on your right” to let others know you’re approaching

— Be ready for sudden changes – people, pets and prams can be unpredictable

A council safety audit* earlier this year with Northern Beaches Police confirmed problems linked to the explosion in popularity of e-bikes.

The audit confirmed concerns about the risk of death or serious injury for walkers and riders by the growing use, size and speed of the bikes.

Cr Heins said the audit revealed that young people in particular were not aware of the road rules “for them to be a good person on a bike”.

“This (safety campaign) is a long time in coming,” Cr Heins said.

“We are deadly serious about this. What we’re trying to avoid here is death or injury … it’s only a mater of time.

“It’s all about making young people start to understand there are three simple ways … they can be on a shared path with others and make us all feel so much more safe”.

The NSW Police Highway Patrol and Bicycle NSW both backed the campaign.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Northern Sydney Sector Command inspector Stuart Forbes described the campaign as a “great initiative” to help protect the safety of bike users and other road users, including pedestrians.

Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean said that while e-bikes were “changing the way we commute*”, there was a need to “ensure that this change is not just positive but also safe and respectful to all road users” and those using shared footpaths.

Stella Maris, for example, now requires that parents confirm that any child who rides an e-bike to school had twice passed practice Learner-driver tests.

Parents at the school have also been asked to read the road rules for bicycles with their daughters; lodge the bike’s serial number with the college; ensure the e-bike’s throttle* speed is locked and tell their daughters to wear a helmet.

E-BIKE FAST FACTS

• E-bikes are currently subject to the same road rules as bicycles
• To be considered a bicycle, it cannot be propelled* exclusively by a motor
• In Australia, e-bikes must not assist pedalling past the speed of 25km/hr
• Under 16s are legally allowed to ride on footpaths, and they can be accompanied by an adult
• Bicycle riders must keep to the left on footpaths and give way to pedestrians
• All bicycle riders must have a bell on their bike to warn others of their approach and wear a helmet
• While e-bikes sold in Australia meet the legal requirements, there is currently no quality control over e-bikes purchased and shipped from overseas retailers
• Personal e-scooters cannot legally be ridden on public roads and paths in NSW, only on private property

Source: Northern Beaches Council

POLL

GLOSSARY

• voluntary: something you choose to do, something done or given because you want to and not because you are forced to by law or choose to do for payment
• pedestrians: people who are walking, especially when referring to areas shared with vehicles
• allegedly: reportedly, supposedly, what has been claimed to be the case
• campaign: planned set of activities carried out over time to achieve something
• lobbying: formal, legal attempts by individuals or groups to influence government for change
• proactively: causing change by taking action, rather than reacting to changes after they occur
• audit: examination, assessment and review of the condition, quality or impact of something
• commute: the practice of travelling regularly to and from home to work or school
• throttle: handlebar-mounted device that can start (and sometimes adjust) the power output from the bike’s motor
• propelled: driven or pushed forwards

EXTRA READING

Brakes hit on popular BMX track

Boy’s smart helmet wins invention award

Push to scrap compulsory helmets

QUICK QUIZ

1. What has prompted the introduction of the safety code?
2. E-bike riders were clocked travelling at what speed in the Northern Beaches Council area?
3. Who is the council continuing to lobby on the issue of e-bike safety?
4. The council’s audit confirmed confirms about what?
5. What are the three basic elements of the new voluntary code of conduct?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. E-bikes versus e-scooters
Why do you think e-scooters are banned by the NSW state government, but e-bikes are allowed on shared footpaths and public roadways?

Do you think these “fat bikes” would be more or less dangerous than e-scooters?

Do you think new laws need to be introduced to protect pedestrians and other bike users from e-bikes or could young people be educated to ride more safely?

If young people want to continue to ride these types of e-bikes, what sort of licensing or safety measures could be put in place to ensure they are riding safely?

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Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
Design a poster to highlight the new code of conduct the Northern Beaches Council has introduced and the three simple steps that can help everyone be safer on shared footpaths.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Visual Arts, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
To sum it up
After reading the article, use your comprehension skills to summarise in a maximum of three sentences what the article is about.

Think about:

What is the main topic or idea?

What is an important or interesting fact?

Who was involved (people or places)?

Use your VCOP skills to re-read your summary to make sure it is clear, specific and well punctuated.