The Deputy Chair of Queensland’s e-mobility inquiry has described the proposed laws as “a complete cluster” and made an impassioned plea for the government to reconsider the draconian legislation.
Taking to social media to thank the witnesses who have given evidence during public submissions over recent weeks, Ms Jonty Bush, the Labor member for the Brisbane seat of Cooper, said the enquiry has been “a frustrating process to watch.”
“We’ve learned that many of the 210,000 bikes across Queensland will need to be returned to retailers,” she said. “And shipped back to manufacturers for compliance plates, and no one knows who will carry the cost of that.”
“Cyclists in the regions will be faced with the choice to either courier their bike back, or ride illegally and run the risk their bike will be seized by police,” the MP added.
Ms Bush - Deputy Chair of the ‘Inquiry into E-mobility Safety and Use in Queensland’ - said the government has failed to consider that police have no way to test e-bikes to the European Standard, and there are no e-bike or e-mobility testing facilities in the state of Queensland.
“No modelling has been done by the Department (of Transport) on how many, or how much this will cost taxpayers,” she said. “However, Bicycle Industries Australia estimated the cost to be around $10,000 per bike.”
“Queenslanders with a disability, and those medically unfit, including older people, will feel the full brunt of this legislation,” the MP continued. “Unable to obtain a licence, they will now lose the only method they have to maintain their employment, daily tasks like shopping or getting kids to school, and social interaction.”
Ms Bush said ‘it’s clear that the Department of Transport had not liaised with the Queensland Police Service, or the Office of Fair Trading in the development of this Bill.’
“No modelling has been done on how many police it will take to enforce this,” she added. “And the impact that having police standing on footpaths checking licences, rather than responding to DFV or serious break and enters, will have.
“Fair Trading has not spoken to retailers about the viability of their businesses yet, many of whom told us they will shut down or simply move their trade outside of Queensland.
“In short, the Bill is a complete cluster,” the MP said.
“I’m sure this was not the Government’s intention, but the truth is they developed this Bill quickly, without consultation and with the only driver being to have ‘the toughest laws in the country’.
“I hope they’ve really listened to stakeholders this week, who were so composed and clear in how this Bill will put Queensland at the back of the line when it comes to active transport in our country, at a time when we should be leading the nation in its preparation for the Olympics.”
In summary, the Bill includes amendments to:
Legislate a 10km/h speed limit for all e-mobility devices on footpaths and shared paths - including rail trails.
Introduce a minimum rider age limit of 16 years.
Require riders to hold a valid driver's licence of any type or class, effectively setting a learner licence as the minimum.
Introduce a range of enforcement powers and offence regimes to deter unsafe and illegal behaviour.
Further details about the proposed laws are expected to be announced by the Queensland Government this Friday, May 8.