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Brisbane riders will stage a snap protest ride to Parliament on Wednesday this week. This is your opportunity to push back against new Queensland laws that will restrict the use of legal pedal-assist e-bikes and e-scooters.
Riders will gather on Wednesday 1 April at Raymond Park, Kangaroo Point, at 5:00pm for a 5:30pm departure, riding together to Parliament House via the Story Bridge.
The Bill introduced by the LNP State Government would:
- require a driver’s licence to operate legal pedal-assist e-bikes and e-scooters
- ban their use for people under 16
- impose a 10km/h speed limit on footpaths and shared paths
“The Government is trying to put the brakes on everyday riders instead of building safe infrastructure,” said Kathryn Good of the Story Bridge Active Travel Alliance.
“If they want us on the roads, we’re getting on the roads.”
The Government has stated the 10km/h limit is designed to “deter” people from riding on shared paths and footpaths, pushing them onto “high quality” infrastructure. Riders argue that network doesn’t actually exist.
“For most people, it’s not a choice between a separated bikeway and a footpath – it’s a choice between a footpath and fast, hostile traffic,” said Kathryn Good.
The route over the Story Bridge is intended to highlight the real-world impact of the proposed changes. Under the proposed laws, legal pedal-assist bike riders would have to choose between riding at 10km/hr on the Story Bridge footpaths, or on the road with traffic.
The protest will operate as a legal group ride, with participants following all road rules.
Organisers stress the event is for legal pedal-assist e-bikes and standard bicycles only. Illegal e-motorbikes are not part of the ride.
EVENT DETAILS:
Location: Raymond Park, Kangaroo Point
Time: Meet 5:00pm for 5:30pm departure
Route: Ride to Parliament via the Story Bridge