THE trial hiring of e-bikes around Lake Macquarie has failed. Maybe Beam or the responsible operator could have tracked, recharged and re-located bikes faster than they have done. But they didn't. The e-scooters trial should be aborted. E-scooters will face similar and probably more problems (E-bike trial hammered, Newcastle Herald 14/12). However, Lake Macquarie City Council should take heart. It is not the council's fault. Now they know that the city's residents are not ready for e-bikes or e-scooters. There are too many irresponsible vandals, bike-chuckers, and complaining members of the public.
In other places, such as London, e-bike hire has gone gangbusters. Not for recreation, but for everyday use including commuting and shopping. In these places public transport is expensive, roads are gridlocked and traffic moves slowly. The hired e-bikes are not generally used on shared pedestrian-push bike paths. This is because there are too many pedestrians on these paths that slow the e-bike riders. Instead e-bikes and scooters are used on roads. This means that more riders are cleaned up by motor vehicles, but there are fewer e-bike-pedestrian accidents. Furthermore, residents in these places have a more responsible attitude and are OK with e-bikes.
