End of the road for dangerous petrol-powered bikes

Dangerous and noisy petrol-powered bicycles will be banned from Tasmanian roads, cycleways and footpaths under new legislation recently enacted.

Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz, said that under the changes, bicycles retrofitted with internal combustion engines would now be classified as motor vehicles and need to meet safety criteria and be registered for road 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,” Mr Abetz said.

“They are impacting on the amenity of our neighbourhoods and putting people at risk. 

“We have listened to our community and police and responded to their genuine concerns by banning these dangerous vehicles from our public shared spaces,” he said.

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.

Mr Abetz said home-built motors and cheap kits might seem like an inexpensive transport option, but they come with a high risk. 

“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,” Mr 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.”

Being classified as motor vehicles, petrol-powered bicycles are no longer permitted on cycleways, shared paths or off-road cycle tracks, where they pose a risk to other users. 

They can be registered and ridden on-road by a licenced rider, as long as they comply with the same safety standards that apply to other motorbikes.

Mr Abetz said as part of the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future we’re working hard to keep Tasmanian roads and pathways as safe as possible for all users. 

“This is one more way we are making or roads safer for everyone,” he said.

A six-month grace period will apply to owners of these ICE bikes to allow time to find alternative transport. Owners may apply for a temporary permit for a further 12 months, during which time bicycles can be upgraded, inspected by an accredited certifier, and registered.

Information on registration compliance and how to obtain a temporary permit are on the Department of State Growth’s website.