A plea for e-bikes from an old(er) rider

by Ren O’Ke

I know a lot of public transport users hate it when they see any bicycle on a train. Hi, I’m the old(er) lady on the train with my bicycle.

My bicycle is an electric bike. I take the train sometimes to cut off maybe 20kms of distance and then I ride the rest of the way on the e-bike. Sometimes I’ve already ridden 50kms and now I’m taking the train home. I’ve been bicycle riding since I was a kid on footpaths, bike lanes, separated bike lanes, shared paths, rail trails, for more than 50 years. For all that time, the rail system has allowed bicycles on trains. It’s never been a problem. What’s different now?  

The electric bike has arrived and there is a concern about the safety of batteries. 

My e-bike is a 250 watt electric motor without a throttle powered by a battery, that assists my pedaling.  It’s known as a PEDAL ASSIST aka PEDALEC. I MUST pedal to move my e-bike forward. The pedal assist helps me up hills, causes me less knee pain, takes less aerobic (lung) work and helps me reach 25kph after which the pedal assist cuts off.     

So, I have an electric pedal assist bicycle that is compliant with Victorian government regulations. The battery is safe. I should not be banned from occasionally using the train network. 

I’d like to see the sale of non-compliant e-bikes banned. I support the police crack down on these types of bikes. This is happening now, but really this crackdown should have been started years ago. 

This old(er) lady will keep riding around the fabulous west whatever the decision. Did you know I can ride from Footscray, Yarraville or Sunshine all the way to Werribee off road on the Federation trail. I could go further and ride along the Werribee river to Werribee Mansion or Werribee Zoo, but for that distance I would definitely ride my e-bike and then take the train home. Sleep like a baby after that day out!