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Let's embrace Australia’s E-bike Moment with rebates for clean transport

Australia’s transport emissions are growing fast and are on track to become our largest contributor to the climate emergency by 2030.

Meanwhile, millions of short trips in our cities every day are driven as vehicle ownership continues to grow, further entrenching Australia’s dependence on cars.

Climate experts and political leaders agree there is an urgent need to clean up the transport sector. E-bikes have arrived as a powerful tool to help them get the job done.

Launched today and endorsed by bike organisations around the country, Bicycle Network’s “Australia’s E-bike Moment” information booklet provides an overview of the wide-ranging benefits of e-bikes.

Download the booklet

It details research on how e-bikes are cleaning up cities around the world by serving as genuine replacements for cars, and how governments are using purchase incentives to fast-track adoption and ramp up the fight against climate change.

It’s time for governments around Australia to join them.

Research has shown that e-bikes provide moderate exercise, and because they are so enjoyable to ride, people who own them are more likely to spend more time exercising and meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity.

They are far cheaper to run than petrol-powered cars, and because they are capable of carrying kids to school and heavy goods home from the shop, are actively driving down carbon emissions around the world.

Globally, electric bikes are already replacing four times as much oil as electric cars.

Investing in this incredibly efficient mode of transport is the smart choice, and already some governments around the country are making their move.

This started with the Tasmanian Government last year which introduced a rebate program to help 350 Australians onto e-bikes. Two councils in Adelaide have since launched rebate schemes of their own.

Governments of all levels have a golden opportunity to unlock the potential of e-bikes, by making it more affordable for Australians to use one everyday. The returns for both their communities and the planet, are there for the taking.

Read more about how we’re advocating for e-bikes on our campaign page.

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