Electric bike retailers in the ACT are expecting a boost in sales once Canberrans come to grips with the realities of paid parking and make the most of reforms that allow greater access to higher-powered electric bicycles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In 2013, Attorney-General Simon Corbell introduced changes to legislation that brought the ACT in line with European standards and increased the permissible power of electric bikes from 200W to 250W.
But Simone Annis, who has been selling electric bikes through Switched on Cycles in O'Connor since 2009, said the reform had not had a significant impact on sales and paid parking was likely to have a greater impact.
"At the moment, quite a few people who would not normally ride are motivated by the introduction of paid parking in and around the parliamentary triangle and not having to pay $11 a day for parking," she said.
"People who might have thought about riding in the past but felt it was a little bit too easy to drive and too hard to ride are more likely to be more open to riding, particularly on an electric bike."
Ms Annis said the reforms hadn't made much of a difference in terms of performance bikes although they led to increasing awareness.
Pedal Power executive officer John Armstrong agreed there was a heightened awareness although he said many in the cycling community were grappling with "the most ethical use of an electric bike".
"Often you ride for the fun and fitness but the electric bike is specific in that it makes it easier and in some way takes part of the fun away," he said.
"Despite that, they can be very good and effective in the right circumstance."
The manager of Pushys bikestore in Fyshwick which has sold electric bikes for many years agreed the reforms had little impact on sales but was optimistic awareness would lead to increased popularity.
"Most people who purchase electric bikes here just want an easy way to ride around without sweating, especially if they are older," he said.
Canberra Cycling Club president Stuart Jones said the use of electric bikes had been recently discussed by the club although members agreed they were not opposed to their use.
"People in our demographic aren't really going to be using them so they're not something that we are really too concerned about," he said.
"The speed of some of them may cause some concern on cycle paths but otherwise we don't have a problem with them."
Ms Annis said she would like to see the ACT Government continue to encourage cycling in Canberra particularly as people seek alternatives to paid parking or public transport.
"Financial incentives such as work place interest free loans for purchasing a bike, as well as financial disincentives like paid parking also help," she said.
