Personally I'd like a wattage of around 500 nominal (as you Suggest Pendragon, 500-750 watt), I can build an e-bike with that kinda power that'll do 40 km/h on the flat, and personally, that's around where I reckon the top speed for bicycle infrastructure (shared pathways/cyclewyas should be...)
from my perspective, the adoption of European standards for a country the size and sprawl of Australia is disingeneous. I personally beleive an approach to push for laws as per American style (750w) is more appropriate both for our culture and our infrastructure.
I beleive that a central and significant point to be raised is that the current limitations via the European standard actually make a compliant AUS e-bike LESS functional than a fit cyclist on quality pedal-only road-bike.
I beleive that the limitations applied are a disincentive for a functional vehicle, placing the compliant e-bike into the category of leisure/recreation rather than enabling a viable alternative (particularly for commuters travelling further than 10km) to more environmental and infrastructure damaging, less economical and dangerous vehicles such as cars.
I would like to somehow raise the point of polling existing cycle (non-ebike) commuters as to whether they would accept a 25km/h speed limit on the cycleways as an emphasis on how limiting such restrictions are (note: although a well built e-bike can still be pedalled at higher speeds above where the motor gives assistance, the rider is taxed at greater speeds due to the extra weight of the electric drive train)
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Points for the petition
Current AUS e-bike laws are European-based and do not reflect the culture nor infrastructure of Australia
Speed and power restrictions (250w/25km/hr) functionally restrict an e-bike to less than pedal-only
The potential for alternative transportation innovations through human/electric vehicles (such as cargo bikes and trikes) is discouraged through lack of meaningful power
very little if any consultation with the existing e-bike user base. (though I do understand that at least one e-bike IMPORTER was on teh consulting panel
Apparent lack of e-bike AND cycling experience with the decision makers (note: e-bike/cycling experience means "consistent use of a cycle or e-bike as a means of tansportation or recreation" IE to be "experienced" a person MUST have a history of riding a bicycle at least once a week with many thousands of km under their wheels, and to have a true understanding of e-bikes at least 1000 km of e-bike riding)
(important in my opinion as I seriously have had a professional bicycle courier ride a legal powered and top speed e-bike up and down the laneway outside my workshop and claim it was "fast"... when I KNOW they reach 40+km/h on their day to day rounds... IE a zip down an alleyway or an exhibition ride does not give one enough experience to make a decision about power levels or speed)
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Working title....
Petition to review the current power and top speed restrictions of Australian e-bike laws through the adoption of the en1594 Standard
Current studies both here in Australia and overseas suggest that a greater use of bicycles has massive benefit to inner city congestion, public health and infrastructure costs and maintenance.
Promotion of cycling as an alternative method for daily transportation has gained little traction with less than 5% of daily commutes being undertaken by cyclists in Australia's major cities.
The purpose of this petition... is to present and promote a strong review of the current e-bike laws to assist in promoting cycling through alternative methods and gain the traction Australia needs to become a leader in alternative personal transport use, innovation and development.
(I/we/the petition signatories) strongly beleive that greater promotion and less restriction on e-bike functionality will have a significant effect on bicycle and human power/electric hybrid personal vehicle use.
reason 1
Reason 2
Reason 3
(oops just realised it's past midnight, and I have a conversion to finish and two first services on Frankencycle e-bikes to be done by 11am tomorrow, before I then ride 30 km to consult/quote an electric cargo bike conversion at 1:30 pm , so best get some ZZZZZs)
Hope that's helpful Pendragon
joe
