You're paid to cycle to work in France and the Netherlands. Sydney could be next
Financial incentives for e-micromobility devices were proposed in a secret internal document circulated by a senior government bureaucrat in October, three days before then-transport minister Jo Haylen announced a pathway for the legalising of e-scooters on public roads.
Among the sweeteners suggested were a tax incentive that would allow riders to claim a per-kilometre allowance for each commute, which could replicate successful schemes applied in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, with the latter country observing cycling participation more than doubled in the second year of the program.
Transport for NSW projected that e-bike riders would undertake four additional trips every month with the backing of the financial incentive, while e-scooters, which would be made legal subject to the passing of legislation later this year, would be used on six further occasions each month.
'When the conditions are right, the experience in other jurisdictions shows that financial incentives can increase ownership and ridership,' read the internal document, obtained by the Herald.
'Locally, research has shown that financial incentives would encourage people in NSW who already own a bike (including e-bikes) and e-scooters to take more trips.'
The document also suggested introducing one-off rebates to offset the expense of purchasing an e-bike, mirroring schemes implemented in Queensland and Tasmania over the past two years
Australia Institute research manager Morgan Harrington, who last year co-wrote a discussion paper recommending a ride-to-work cycling allowance be introduced, said fresh ideas are needed to confront transport challenges posed by rising populations and urban sprawl.
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