NZTA's recommended speed limit for e-bikes too slow, study says

Thursday, 4 October 2018

Researchers say we should follow the United States, not Europe, if we restrict e-bike speeds.

The 25kmh speed 'cutout' for e-bikes recommended by the New Zealand Transport Agency is too slow, a new study says.

Dr Kirsty Wild and Alistair Woodward interviewed e-bike riders for Electric City: E-bikes and the future of cycling in New Zealand, and found that nearly everybody rode at speeds of up to 35kmh.

The Auckland University study said a speed limit for e-bikes of 32kmh like in the United States would be better than the 25kmh limit in the United Kingdom.

E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand.

The NZTA also recommended e-bike users chose a bike with a speed cutout – a limit on the top speed – of 25kmh for safety reasons.

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Dr Kirsty Wild conducted the study on electric bike use in New Zealand.

However, the research said that was too slow, as most riders needed to go at least 30kmh at times to ensure their commute was under an hour.

E-bikes and scooters have been on the rise in New Zealand, with Statistics NZ showing 27,646 were imported into the country in the year ending June 2018.

That was compared to 11,424 imported two years earlier.

The new study interviewed both e-bike users and retailers to explore the potential of e-bikes in New Zealand.

People said e-bikes were still too expensive for lower-income commuters, as some cost the same as a second-hand car.

One e-cyclist stated e-bikes were 'a middle-class thing' because of how expensive they were.

The study suggested e-bikes be Government subsidised to make them more affordable.

Another concern was the risk of the expensive bikes being stolen.

The study also found e-bikes were more popular for women than push-bikes, making up 41 per cent of e-bike users in Auckland compared to 27 per cent of pedal bike riders.

NZTA acting safety and environment director Niclas Johansson said 75 per cent of New Zealanders said they would ride a bike more if the network better met their needs.

'If you are riding an electric or pedal-powered bike, you are not using public transport or a vehicle so you are saving money, helping to reduce congestion on the roads, as well as getting some exercise and improving your health,' he said.

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