New research into commercial delivery e-bike behaviour on Melbourne streets has revealed that most of the bikes are not legally compliant and most of the riders are ignoring road rules.
At eight data collection sites across Melbourne only 4% of riders were observed to be pedalling.
The maximum speed recorded was 54km/h. At least 20% of riders were exceeding the allowable 25km/h speed limit at all sites and at three sites, 33% were above 25km/h.
At one site 33% of riders were on the footpath and 15% of those on the road were riding in the wrong direction.
The findings are contained in a research paper from the Monash Institute of Transport Studies undertaken for the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC).
The aim of the research project was to quantify non-compliant speeds and behaviours enacted by delivery e-bike riders in Melbourne.
The researchers chose eight sites around inner Melbourne to represent a range of conditions where delivery e-bikes are likely to operate.
Using 24-hour-a-day video and automated tube counters, the researchers captured vehicle speed, whether the rider was pedalling or not, vehicle location (footpath, bike lane, vehicle lane) and whether the rider was riding the wrong way or not.
They also identified and classified the bikes into six different categories.
A key finding is that the Zoomo brand e-bikes and their riders were far less likely to be involved in compliance breaches, implying that these bikes met regulatory standards and had probably not been tampered with.
The observations showed that they were pedalled nearly half the time, travelled at lower average speeds and recorded no speed limit breaches.
The findings indicated that some locations were worse for offending than others. Hotspots in Swanston Street (Carlton) and Swan Street (Richmond) recorded the highest rates of speeding, while Elizabeth Street and King Street in the city saw high levels of footpath riding and wrong-way travel.
A total of 27,000 two-wheeled vehicles were observed during the project dates with 47% being delivery e-bikes. Traditional pedal bikes made up 37%.
Delivery e-bikes dominated between 6pm and 4am, and counts were high from Thursday through Saturday.
VACC chief executive Peter Jones said the findings highlight the urgent need for targeted enforcement and clearer regulations.
“This report confirms what riders, pedestrians and other road users have suspected – many of these delivery e-bikes are operating as unregistered motorbikes, without the safeguards or enforcement that applies to other vehicles," he said.
"We need consistent standards, proper compliance checks and enforcement in known hotspots to keep all road users safe.
“This is a rapidly growing problem with clear solutions. Our research shows concerning patterns in commercial use that create unnecessary risks.
“We’re advocating for the government to implement a level playing field. These are motorbikes, they need to be registered, insured and accountable to the road rules – just like any other vehicle.
"Current operators using compliant vehicles shouldn’t be disadvantaged by others exploiting regulatory gaps."
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