The future of e-bikes, e-scooters and other similar transport options will go under the microscope as part of a NSW Upper House Committee Inquiry.
This follows a motion to establish the inquiry by Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann.
The Committee has recently published a questionnaire for the public interested in having their say. The inquiry will look at opportunities for regulatory reform to achieve safer outcomes for riders and the community. It will investigate the current and future role of all three levels of government in enabling and encouraging the safe use of these vehicles. It will consider international examples of best practice for electrified active transport and a range of other factors as part of a broad inquiry.
Kobi Shetty MP and Greens active transport spokesperson says:
"This Inquiry is a welcome step. E-bikes and e-scooters have an important role to play in encouraging people to rely less on their cars, and to use alternative modes of transport.
"That said, our regulations have failed to keep pace with the e-bike boom, and this has caused very valid safety concerns for the wider community. We need this inquiry to identify opportunities to keep both riders and our community safe.
"While the concerns of the community are valid, we do not want to see a knee-jerk reaction here where we ban their use completely.
"E-bikes and e-scooters will be a key part of a greener, more sustainable transport future. But we need to get the regulatory settings right - and I hope this inquiry will enable all three levels of government to improve regulations to keep riders and our community safe."
