“Dangerous and noisy” petrol-powered bicycles have officially been banned from Tasmania’s roads, cycleways and footpaths under new legislation.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz said the changes mean bicycles retrofitted with internal combustion engines are now classified as motor vehicles, requiring them to meet safety standards and be registered for use by a rider with a valid motorcycle licence.
“Petrol-powered bicycles that can travel at high speeds but are not equipped with appropriate braking and handling are dangerous for both riders and other members of our community,” Abetz said.
“They are impacting on the amenity of our neighbourhoods and putting people at risk.”
A six-month grace period will apply to owners of the bikes to allow them time to find alternative transport, with the option to apply for a temporary permit for a further 12 months.
In the next year, bicycles can either be stripped back to pedal power or upgraded and inspected by an accredited certifier and registered.
An internal combustion engine (ICE) bicycle is typically a standard pedal-powered bicycle fitted with a home-built or modified petrol engine like from a lawnmower or a low-cost conversion kit purchased online.
“The motors tend to be of poor quality and unreliable and the bikes don’t have the stability or adequate brake capacity to handle the high speeds,” Abetz said.
“Unlike other motorised vehicles that are regulated to ensure their power and speed do not exceed their braking capacity, these bicycles have not been subjected to any sort of safety standard.”
The bikes can be registered and ridden on-road by a licensed rider as long as they comply with the same safety standards that apply to other motorbikes, but are no longer permitted on cycleways, shared paths or off-road cycle tracks
