These days, everyone it seems has a story to tell about a close encounter with e-bike riders who appear to be climbing aboard bigger, heavier and faster bikes each year.
In preparing to write this story I was brushed twice this past week by e-bike riders travelling at speed along the popular Blue Mile at North Wollongong.
People, especially young children, and pets, seem to be at greatest risk of injury.
Our neighbour’s pet dachshund was run over by an e-bike last year. Its back was badly broken and despite every effort and large vet bills, the dog wasn’t able to recover.
It's too dangerous
Keiraville resident Arnold McLean, an active member of community advisory group Neighbourhood Forum 5, says he no longer walks his 13-year-old kelpie 'Andreous' on footpaths because “it’s just too dangerous".
"Footpaths are no longer safe places for dogs who wander from side to side putting themselves at risk of being hit by high-speed cyclists."
The retired engineer, UOW academic and himself a keen bike rider recently met an accident-victim who was seriously injured while walking near the Beaton Park Leisure Centre where she works.
"Her injuries were inflicted by a penniless university student riding at speed down Mercury Street in Wollongong," Arnold said.
The woman suffered serious leg injuries and Arnold said her medical bills now amounted to around $20,000, not including lost wages.
Insurance is needed
With more people suffering collision injuries, Arnold believes all electric bike and scooter owners should be required to have third party personal injury compensation insurance.
He said the injured woman considered pursuing legal action against the student to recover her costs but being quoted $30,000 by lawyers, she decided not to.
"Some electric bikes are built like tanks," Arnold said. "Some seat up to three teenagers and appear to be able to travel at 50km/h. This is much too fast for travel along footpaths.
"It won't be long before a fatality will occur in Wollongong and, sadly, this fatality will probably involve a senior pedestrian.
'Nobody reads signs'
"It's disappointing Wollongong Council didn't realise this problem would arise long ago. Council is encouraging active transport, but most footpaths are now dangerous places to be. Council has introduced some temporary signs but nobody reads signs."
Recognising the increased number of incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters, a NSW Parliamentary Committee released a comprehensive report to look at the growing popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters as a mode of transport.
The report admits "their rapid uptake has meant our laws and infrastructure haven't kept pace".
Maximum speed 15km/h
The report's 34 recommendations include allowing the e-scooters and e-bikes to be legalised and permitted on footpaths with a maximum speed of 15km/h, and with riders having to give way to pedestrians at all times.
Arnold McLean isn't impressed. "I thought they were a bit pathetic and a bit optimistic. They don't go far enough and they don't mention insurance.
"Really, the speed limit on footpaths should be walking pace. Travelling as they do now at up to 50km/h, human beings and pets will always come off second best."
Cathy Martin, a supporter of the Keiraville Resident Action Group, shares Arnold's concerns, and she believes attempts by governments to get more people involved in active travel on bikes and scooters could backfire if walkers decide it’s no longer safe to use footpaths for fear of being bowled over.
Wollongong Council is currently trialling the use of e-scooter hire and in its first year of operation there were 165,000 trips recorded, travelling over 317,000km.
In 2021 the rules changed and children up to the age of 16 in NSW can now legally ride a bike on footpaths. Previously it was up to the age of 12. Adults can only ride on footpaths if they are supervising someone under 16.