E-Bike operator forced to clean up cluttering rides on roads

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Shared E-bike usage is growing rapidly but so too is the clutter and safety risks they create when they're dumped on roads and footpaths. After years of complaints - the state government today stepped in with new legislation that will force e-bike operators to clean up their acts.

Transcript

00:00It's a familiar scene on Sydney streets, e-bikes strewn all over the pavement creating eyesores

00:09and obstacles.

00:10For the elderly it's a bit dangerous.

00:12For people with vision impairments like Seth Leggett, navigating around the bikes

00:17can be treacherous.

00:18When we walk into them or can't find our way around them, we actually knock them over.

00:23That's a tripping hazard and an injury risk.

00:26There is no mandatory parking, there's no mandatory rules for helmets, there's no mandatory

00:31rules for insurance.

00:33This has created chaos.

00:35Under proposed changes, councils will be able to declare no-go zones for e-bikes and establish

00:41dedicated parking bays to avoid dumping.

00:44We're happy to do whatever needs to be done so long as it is not an unfunded mandate that's

00:51going to cost our ratepayers.

00:53This scheme will be funded by e-bike operators, but ultimately riders too.

00:57We will be placing a per trip levy on there, it'll be about 80 cents.

01:04E-bike companies will need to meet certain standards to operate, like having insurance

01:08and maintenance, as well as helmets for every rider.

01:11I'm an avid e-bike user, I use them to get to work in the morning and yeah I think probably

01:18mandatory helmets is probably a good idea.

01:20Under the proposed changes, councils will be able to issue removal orders for this

01:24kind of mess and operators that fail to comply will face fines of up to $55,000 or $5,500

01:32for every day the bikes aren't cleaned up.

01:35One of the biggest operators, Lime, says its app will force riders to follow the new parking

01:40rules as they're introduced.

01:42You simply can't end your trip unless it's at a dedicated bay and that's what we're looking

01:46to do in New South Wales here too.

01:47With broad support the legislation should have an easier passage than many pedestrians.

01:53Nick Dole, ABC News Sydney.

01:54Karen.

01:55Wraith University.

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