Cycling advocacy group Pedal Power has welcomed moves by the ACT government to allow riders of electric bicycles access to racks on Canberra's public bus network.
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The move comes as the government increases the number of bike racks to all but two per cent of bus services around the city.
Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury announced the changes at a sustainable transport event at the ACT Legislative Assembly this week, as part of moves to encourage more active transport.
Until now, electric bikes have been banned from the bike racks mounted on the front of buses.
Under new rules the bikes can be stored on bus racks provided their weight is less than 25 kilograms.
ACTION will soon begin fitting bike racks to all of its articulated and steer-tag buses, making up 98 per cent of its fleet. Currently just 84 per cent of buses are equipped to carry bikes.
Pedal Power ACT executive officer John Armstrong welcomed the resolution of what he called "a long-standing issue."
"We currently have 79,000 Canberrans who ride a bicycle each week," he said.
"Once all the racks are fitted, even more Canberrans will have be able to catch the bus when they'd like to shorten their travel time. It also provides options for those that need to travel farther than they can comfortably ride."
"They'll now feel assured that the bus they are waiting for will have a rack."
He said allowing electric bikes, also known as pedalecs, onto all bus bike racks was a positive step.
The changes follow safety and risk assessment processes and will mean some buses previously considered too long for bike racks will now be approved for use.
Only nine buses active on the network won't be equipped with racks, including the short "Dennis Dart" models.
Previous bans on electric bikes were updated in 2013 to be in line with European standards.
The change increased the power of bicycles from a previous 200 watt limit to a maximum continuous power rating of 250 watts as part of a national agreement across jurisdictions to allow the import, sale and use of European-style electric bikes.
Mr Rattenbury told the event that paid parking in the parliamentary triangle, introduced last year, had already increased ACTION boarding numbers by an average of 1500 passengers each day.
"Our young city sits at a crossroads, with rapid growth expected in the next decades," Mr Rattenbury said.
"In one direction lies car-centric development, creating a city of ever-growing roads, congestion and urban sprawl. In the other direction lies a city with sustainable transport at its heart. This path prioritises people and our environment, with a long-term vision for a clean, convenient and equitable city."
He said bold steps towards improvement were needed now in Canberra.
"Creating a quality public transport system for the future; prioritising active transport modes like walking and cycling; planning urban environments that value people and activity," Mr Rattenbury said.
