Latest news with #electricbikes
BBC News
19 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Edinburgh yet to name operator for new cycle hire scheme
Edinburgh is to trial a new cycle hire scheme in August but an operator has yet to be put in place.A small number of dockless electric bikes are scheduled to be rolled out on the city's streets from the week of 18 August, the City of Edinburgh Council firms, Dott and Lime, are under consideration to run the scheme, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, but a final decision has yet to be the local authority's transport convener, Stephen Jenkinson, said he was "confident" the pilot would run to schedule during the festival season. It will mark the first time in four years that Edinburgh will have a public bike hire Dott and Lime run similar cycle hire programmes in cities across the UK and Europe. Jenkinson said he expected the operator to be chosen next said every effort would be made to "minimise disruption" when the trial begins during the city's annual added: "Our initial target was to launch the trial cycle hire scheme during the month of August, and I remain confident that we'll deliver this."The tender process is still under way, and a contract has not yet been awarded."We're actively working to finalise arrangements and remain committed to making the scheme operational as soon as possible."He said the council was determined that any cycle hire scheme would be "implemented diligently". 'Vandalism and theft' A previous scheme, operated by Serco and sponsored by food delivery service Just Eat, ran for three years between 2018 and 2021 before being ended when the contractor pulled bikes, which had to be unlocked from specialised docking stations placed at points around the city, were beset by issues with vandalism and often had to be retrieved from bodies of water, including the Water of the new scheme will operate the "dockless" model, with the council collecting inappropriately parked bikes and charging the future operator a £235 fee for their mirrors the model used in the City of London, where Lime already has a Greens councillor Chas Booth said: "While it's very welcome news that a new cycle hire scheme has taken a step closer, it's essential that any scheme meets the needs of all the city, including those on low incomes and living outside the city centre."It's also essential the operator addresses the shortcomings of the previous scheme, particularly around vandalism and theft, if it's to become a permanent part of the city's sustainable transport offering." Reporting by local democracy journalist Joe Sullivan.
The Australian
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Australian
Zoomo demands crackdown on illegal e-bike modifications across Australia
A leading e-bike company is demanding urgent action from authorities as illegally modified bicycles surge in popularity across Australia. Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to navigate congested CBD streets faster than cars or scooters, making them an ideal choice for food delivery workers. James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 10 2024. GENERIC. Economy, cost of living, budget. Food delivery rider in the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers MORE: Dua Lipa's $1m flaunt stuns onlookers Unlike cars or motorcycles, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a licence to ride, making them an efficient alternative provided they fall within certain power limits under Australian law. Gema Martínez Casanova, operations manager for populae e-bike brand Zoomo, says the proliferation of illegal e-bikes undermines legal e-bikes. 'It's quite frustrating because we try to create a really safe and reliable product for our customers,' she says. 'We understand e-bikes, there's a big increase in usage with e-bikes, and there are a lot of people who don't like them because they have this idea of e-bikes going 45 km/h on the pathway.' James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen In most states and territories, e-bikes are classified as 'pedal-assisted cycles' and must comply with the European Standard for Power-Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). This standard typically limits the power from the electric motor to 250W and mandates that the motor stop propelling the bike when the speed reaches 25 km/h. Despite Zoomo's commitment to adhering to legal standards and ensuring customer safety, the situation is worsened by gig economy workers who seek faster delivery times and opt for bikes that can be modified to exceed legal limits. 'We can't do anything, because the customer wants to make more deliveries per hour, so of course they are going to go for a vehicle that goes faster,' Gema said. 'So not only do we have to compete by always trying to be better on our hardware and customer experience on a legal side, but also we have to be aware of the illegal bikes in the industry. 'We really respect the law, but we would like everyone to be applying the same rules. 'We create such a safe, reliable product, and we also employ a lot of people in Australia, but at the end of the day, we won't be able to compete. A general view of a food delivery bike rider during lunch hour in the CBD in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard MORE: $185m scandal engulfs China EV giants 'So we urge the authorities to do more on illegal e-bikes. We see it everyday when a rider is riding up hill, not pedalling and travelling more than 6km per hour.' Many riders are also turning to e-bike conversion kits, which allow them to retrofit a standard bicycle with an electric motor, battery, and control system. These kits are widely available online, and their power can exceed 1000 watts, reaching speeds well over 60 km/h. A leading industry body has reported a surge in these unregistered and high-powered e-bike models entering the Australian market. A food delivery rider riding through Sydney's CBD. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Electric micromobility devices, including e-bikes, are growing in popularity. Picture:NewsWire/ Monique Harmer MORE: Car boss' wild call to end Aus tax breaks The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both state and federal governments to urgently enforce existing national laws that regulate e-bikes, as growing numbers of unregistered, high-powered models are being used in commercial operations across Melbourne. 'The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they're being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,' VACC CEO Peter Jones says. 'It's one thing to ride a compliant e-bike recreationally. 'But when you're using a 1000-watt machine all day in city traffic to deliver for a company, you're operating a commercial vehicle. That must come with legal responsibilities, just like it would for a van, a ute or a motorbike.' NSW authorities are also intensifying efforts to enforce safety laws against e-bike riders who have illegally modified or tampered with their bikes, according to The Daily Telegraph. NSW police conducted a month-long operation, during which they checked 305 e-bikes and fined 32 riders. They discovered that 28 bikes had been modified or adjusted to exceed the legal speed limits set by manufacturers. Operation Kilowatt has cracked down on e-bike riders in the Northern Beaches. Picture: Jeremy Piper Over the past year, high-visibility police operations have been conducted across New South Wales in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, and Byron Bay, resulting in hundreds of fines being issued to e-bike riders who breached regulations. James Chung Digital Content Creator James is a Digital Content Creator at and is part of the News Corp Australia's digital real estate team. His previous experience includes working for Sky News Australia.
Daily Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Telegraph
Zoomo demands crackdown on illegal e-bike modifications across Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. A leading e-bike company is demanding urgent action from authorities as illegally modified bicycles surge in popularity across Australia. Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to navigate congested CBD streets faster than cars or scooters, making them an ideal choice for food delivery workers. James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 10 2024. GENERIC. Economy, cost of living, budget. Food delivery rider in the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers MORE: Dua Lipa's $1m flaunt stuns onlookers Unlike cars or motorcycles, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a licence to ride, making them an efficient alternative provided they fall within certain power limits under Australian law. Gema Martínez Casanova, operations manager for populae e-bike brand Zoomo, says the proliferation of illegal e-bikes undermines legal e-bikes. 'It's quite frustrating because we try to create a really safe and reliable product for our customers,' she says. 'We understand e-bikes, there's a big increase in usage with e-bikes, and there are a lot of people who don't like them because they have this idea of e-bikes going 45 km/h on the pathway.' James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen In most states and territories, e-bikes are classified as 'pedal-assisted cycles' and must comply with the European Standard for Power-Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). This standard typically limits the power from the electric motor to 250W and mandates that the motor stop propelling the bike when the speed reaches 25 km/h. Despite Zoomo's commitment to adhering to legal standards and ensuring customer safety, the situation is worsened by gig economy workers who seek faster delivery times and opt for bikes that can be modified to exceed legal limits. 'We can't do anything, because the customer wants to make more deliveries per hour, so of course they are going to go for a vehicle that goes faster,' Gema said. 'So not only do we have to compete by always trying to be better on our hardware and customer experience on a legal side, but also we have to be aware of the illegal bikes in the industry. 'We really respect the law, but we would like everyone to be applying the same rules. 'We create such a safe, reliable product, and we also employ a lot of people in Australia, but at the end of the day, we won't be able to compete. A general view of a food delivery bike rider during lunch hour in the CBD in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard MORE: $185m scandal engulfs China EV giants 'So we urge the authorities to do more on illegal e-bikes. We see it everyday when a rider is riding up hill, not pedalling and travelling more than 6km per hour.' Many riders are also turning to e-bike conversion kits, which allow them to retrofit a standard bicycle with an electric motor, battery, and control system. These kits are widely available online, and their power can exceed 1000 watts, reaching speeds well over 60 km/h. A leading industry body has reported a surge in these unregistered and high-powered e-bike models entering the Australian market. A food delivery rider riding through Sydney's CBD. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Electric micromobility devices, including e-bikes, are growing in popularity. Picture:NewsWire/ Monique Harmer MORE: Car boss' wild call to end Aus tax breaks The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both state and federal governments to urgently enforce existing national laws that regulate e-bikes, as growing numbers of unregistered, high-powered models are being used in commercial operations across Melbourne. 'The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they're being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,' VACC CEO Peter Jones says. 'It's one thing to ride a compliant e-bike recreationally. 'But when you're using a 1000-watt machine all day in city traffic to deliver for a company, you're operating a commercial vehicle. That must come with legal responsibilities, just like it would for a van, a ute or a motorbike.' NSW authorities are also intensifying efforts to enforce safety laws against e-bike riders who have illegally modified or tampered with their bikes, according to The Daily Telegraph. NSW police conducted a month-long operation, during which they checked 305 e-bikes and fined 32 riders. They discovered that 28 bikes had been modified or adjusted to exceed the legal speed limits set by manufacturers. Operation Kilowatt has cracked down on e-bike riders in the Northern Beaches. Picture: Jeremy Piper Over the past year, high-visibility police operations have been conducted across New South Wales in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, and Byron Bay, resulting in hundreds of fines being issued to e-bike riders who breached regulations. Originally published as Zoomo calls for stricter regulations amid illegal e-bike domination
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Zoomo calls for stricter regulations amid illegal e-bike domination
A leading e-bike company is demanding urgent action from authorities as illegally modified bicycles surge in popularity across Australia. Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to navigate congested CBD streets faster than cars or scooters, making them an ideal choice for food delivery workers. Unlike cars or motorcycles, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a licence to ride, making them an efficient alternative provided they fall within certain power limits under Australian law. Gema Martínez Casanova, operations manager for populae e-bike brand Zoomo, says the proliferation of illegal e-bikes undermines legal e-bikes. 'It's quite frustrating because we try to create a really safe and reliable product for our customers,' she says. 'We understand e-bikes, there's a big increase in usage with e-bikes, and there are a lot of people who don't like them because they have this idea of e-bikes going 45 km/h on the pathway.' In most states and territories, e-bikes are classified as 'pedal-assisted cycles' and must comply with the European Standard for Power-Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). This standard typically limits the power from the electric motor to 250W and mandates that the motor stop propelling the bike when the speed reaches 25 km/h. Despite Zoomo's commitment to adhering to legal standards and ensuring customer safety, the situation is worsened by gig economy workers who seek faster delivery times and opt for bikes that can be modified to exceed legal limits. 'We can't do anything, because the customer wants to make more deliveries per hour, so of course they are going to go for a vehicle that goes faster,' Gema said. 'So not only do we have to compete by always trying to be better on our hardware and customer experience on a legal side, but also we have to be aware of the illegal bikes in the industry. 'We really respect the law, but we would like everyone to be applying the same rules. 'We create such a safe, reliable product, and we also employ a lot of people in Australia, but at the end of the day, we won't be able to compete. 'So we urge the authorities to do more on illegal e-bikes. We see it everyday when a rider is riding up hill, not pedalling and travelling more than 6km per hour.' Many riders are also turning to e-bike conversion kits, which allow them to retrofit a standard bicycle with an electric motor, battery, and control system. These kits are widely available online, and their power can exceed 1000 watts, reaching speeds well over 60 km/h. A leading industry body has reported a surge in these unregistered and high-powered e-bike models entering the Australian market. The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both state and federal governments to urgently enforce existing national laws that regulate e-bikes, as growing numbers of unregistered, high-powered models are being used in commercial operations across Melbourne. 'The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they're being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,' VACC CEO Peter Jones says. 'It's one thing to ride a compliant e-bike recreationally. 'But when you're using a 1000-watt machine all day in city traffic to deliver for a company, you're operating a commercial vehicle. That must come with legal responsibilities, just like it would for a van, a ute or a motorbike.' NSW authorities are also intensifying efforts to enforce safety laws against e-bike riders who have illegally modified or tampered with their bikes, according to The Daily Telegraph. NSW police conducted a month-long operation, during which they checked 305 e-bikes and fined 32 riders. They discovered that 28 bikes had been modified or adjusted to exceed the legal speed limits set by manufacturers. Over the past year, high-visibility police operations have been conducted across New South Wales in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, and Byron Bay, resulting in hundreds of fines being issued to e-bike riders who breached regulations.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Police appeal after crash which left man with serious head injury
Police are appealing for witnesses after a crash which left a man with a serious head injury. Officers were called to the crash on Washacre in Westhoughton at around 6.30pm last Wednesday, July 2. The incident involved two electric bikes, and left a man in his 20s with a serious head injury. He was taken to hospital, where he remains. Now, GMP is appealing for anyone with any footage of the moments leading up to the collision to come forward. Read more: Arrests after man suffers serious head injury in crash Read more: More schools to ban the skirt on 'equality, inclusivity and cost' grounds A spokesperson said: "Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have any CCTV footage, including dashcam, mobile phone footage in the moments leading up to the collision. "You can do this by contacting the serious collisions investigation unit (SCIU) on 0161 856 4741 quoting log 3145 of 02/07/2025." Residents in the area told The Bolton News how emergency services, including the air ambulance, attended the scene at around 6.30pm on Wednesday evening.
