Safety – Bicycle Queensland

You would be hard pressed to miss the increase in e-cargo bikes on the streets in many Australian capitals – and Queensland is no different to other states. Early mornings and afternoons see bike paths and back roads become essential links as parents tote one, two or even three kids to and from daycare or school drop offs.

The longer wheelbases and higher cargo carrying capacity of an electric cargo bike isn’t just handy for navigating the school run. You can do a full shop, carry your partner to Friday drinks, or even load up with tools to head to a friend’s house, to rescue them from their DIY project.

While electric cargo bikes have been available for a while, their recent explosion has been assisted by more manufacturers developing their own e-cargo line, and some stores specialising in e-bikes, like Electric Bikes Brisbane or Lug+Carrie. What has made a really big difference is the hire, or subscription service that Lug+Carrie also offer for the Brisbane area, alongside Melbourne and Sydney.

Via Lug+Carrie, you can rent your e-bike, or e-cargo bike, on a month-by-month basis, And as long as you’re in their 20km operational zone, this includes on-site servicing, free delivery and pick up at the start and finish of your subscription, and free delivery and pick up if your bike needs to go into their workshop for repair or parts. This covers from Wynnum to Camp Mountain, or Brendale to Calamvale.

Lug+Carrie stock a variety of Tern bicycles, including the popular GSD, which can be equipped with two seats on the back, along with a rack on the front. In-fact, many of the bikes have a range of accessories that Lug+Carrie supply, and you can swap them out as your needs change. As well as offering the monthly subscription, Lug+Carrie have lease to buy options as well as both new and refurbished e-bikes for sale. You can check them all out and test ride them in their Woolloongabba store.

On a recent Lug+Carrie Community Ride, we caught up with Sophie – who has been a Lug+Carrie subscriber for two years with her blue Tern GSD.

‘I already had an e-cargo bike that I had bought, but it just wasn’t as functional and kept falling apart. I wanted something that could be a bit more reliable.’

Sophie visited Lug+Carrie in Woolloongabba, near where she lives, to look at at Tern models they had – she ended up their 15^th customer, right as their Brisbane store opened. ‘Their targeted demographics Instagram ads got me: women with kids, who hate their car!’

‘Since then, I have been doing school drop offs then into the city for work – and then back again.’

There are e-cargo bikes on the market from as low as around $3000, but for a quality model like the Tern GSD Sophie has, with the accessories and 200kg load limit, could run over $9000 – which can be off-putting for someone trying to see if an e-cargo bike is for them. And that’s why Lug+Carrie’s subscription model is such a great fit, and it worked for Sophie.

‘The subscription is a more affordable way to get an amazing bike. I wouldn’t have been able to buy it outright and I wasn’t sure if I would love it. But within two weeks I knew “this is me for life,” and I love it.’

While we all often focus on the bike – for Sophie the real benefit has come from being able to customise the accessories in her subscription as her needs change – or as her daughter grows.

‘I had the Storm Shield when my daughter was younger, and as she got a bit older I switched it out to the Captain’s Chair. I called Lug+Carrie, went in and they swapped it over and re-priced it. It was even a little bit cheaper. It also means I can fit adults on the back now too.’

Just like leasing the bike reduces the upfront cost, given these accessories cost around $5 a week to hire, it’s far less than the several hundred they cost to buy outright.

Perhaps one of the best changes that Sophie told us about was her changed perceptions of what she can use her e-cargo bike for. She already uses it every day to get around, do the shopping, get to work and to get her daughter to and from school – but that’s not the limit.

‘I do partake in the e-cargo bike Olympics, for what I can fit on it. I haven’t taken it to Bunnings yet, but I am keen… I have taken a very large plant on it and I do all my grocery shopping on it as well.’

We often hear that riders getting around on an e-cargo bike, in regular clothes doing regular things, can change the perception of bike riders on the road and on paths. And Sophie has said she is often asked about her bike, with men, women and families stopping to ask her where she got it from.

With a powerful Bosch e-bike system, the Tern e-cargo bikes make light work of hauling kids, groceries, love interests – or large pot plants.

‘You don’t have to be a really good cyclist. I had cycled before but I hadn’t for a while. I found the Tern GSD far more comfortable and I feel way more secure. The last bike I had was too high . This is really nice as a step through and being so low. A lot of friends have said they aren’t a good enough cyclist to try one, but you really need to have a go – you’ll love it.

The subscription service means assistance with any issues like flat tyres, worn brakes or gear shifting issues. The Tern bikes are deisgned for use day in, day out, with robust tyres and equipment. But things break – which is why the on-road assistance exists, which Sophie has experienced.

‘Once we were pulling out of school and rode over some glass – so we got a flat. But Al came out and fixed it, it was great! He was there in 5 minutes.’ While this lead time may be longer depending where you are in the Operational Zone, it is part of the service that Lug+Carrie offer – and it removes a lot of perceived issues for some would-be riders.

Sophie was so enthusiastic about her time leasing the Tern GSD from Lug+Carrie – and she is currently contemplating buying out the bike she has been using. And she encourages everyone to try an e-cargo bike for themselves.

‘Just try it for a couple of weeks, you’ll notice the difference. I had to work somewhere that was about 50km away and needed to take a month off from cycling. I was noticeably depressed but when I went back to cycling again I was happy again. So give it a go.’

If you want to know more about Lug+Carrie, visit their website or call them on 1300 766 552. Bicycle Queensland members save 50% on an 8-week subscription through Lug+Carrie. Don’t forget to call your local bikeshop about e-cargo bikes as well – you can find Bicycle Queensland’s partner stores on our Store Finder.

Find out more about Bicycle Queensland membership: insurance, advocacy and member discounts

There is a misconception that cyclists and motorists are enemies on the road. In reality, we share a common goal to get from point A to point B. With more drivers learning to share the road, it’s important to address common cycling myths that circulate our communities. Cyclists, motorists or pedestrians – we are all people before anything else.

It all comes down to empathy. Reacting with an emotional response is not always the most effective way to respond. It’s natural to become frustrated at close calls, but when we focus on the core concerns, people have a greater ability to shift negative emotions in a productive direction. I’m not saying that we should excuse anyone that compromises a bicycle rider’s life, but it would go a long way if we could have a shared voice, seeing things from a shared perspective, and using this to push for safer roads for everyone.

To help establish a shared voice, Bicycle Queensland is bringing clarity common cycling myths some people hold about bicycle riders. We can encourage the healthy war between those that live North and South of the river, or those that follow the Maroon’s or the Blue’s, but we shouldn’t accept wars between different road users because, at the end of the day, we all have to share the roads.

Bicycle riders slow down traffic

What slows down traffic is traffic. Peak hour traffic on arterial roads in Brisbane travels at an average speed of 35 km/h. On Council roads, the average speed is 26 km/h, which is equal to the speed of a fit bicycle commuter.

Riders get a free ride because they don’t pay rego

Myth. The significant costs to taxpayers of a registration scheme would far outweigh the limited benefits. Evidence suggests that a registration scheme would stop the rise of active transport and do little to improve road safety. Council rates and federal taxes, such as Australia’s Goods and Services Tax, are the main sources of revenue for road infrastructure – not motor vehicle registration fees. Notably, more than 80% of cyclists already pay car registration. Above all else, when bicycle riders take to the paths or streets, they reduce the impact of motor vehicles on road infrastructure and save the community $0.60 for each kilometre they ride instead of driving and they are a far more sustainable mode of transport.

Bicycle riders don’t have to follow the rules

This is false. All bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers. Some additional rules allow bicycle riders to make hook turns at intersections and cross pedestrian crossings if it is safe to do so. Fines apply to riders that break the rules and all riders must giveaway to pedestrians.

Bikes shouldn’t be on the road if there is a designated off-road bike path

Bicycle riders can choose whether to ride in a bicycle lane where one is provided. However, bicycles cannot ride on a bike lane on the opposite side of the road travelling into oncoming traffic. Cars can use special-purpose lanes (bicycle lane) if they are trying to avoid an obstruction, obey other traffic signals or the vehicle is making a permitted manoeuvre such as, overtaking to the left of a vehicle that is turning right. This is okay for up to 50m in a bicycle lane or 100m in any other special-purpose lane.

Bicycles can’t ride on the footpath

Myth. In Queensland, bicycle riders can use any footpath (unless otherwise signed) if they keep to a safe speed, sound their intention, follow bicycle etiquette, and giveaway to all pedestrians.

Bicycle riders can’t ride in big groups

Myth. If riders are no more than two abreast and up to 1.5m apart, there is no limit to the number of riders behind each other. Evidence would suggest that it is safer to ride in a group as this increases the visibility and decreases the chance of being involved in a crash. It is, however, important to be conscious of other road users and be clear with your intentions in busy urban environments.

Riders can’t overtake on the left

Myth. Bicycle riders can pass on the left unless a vehicle is turning left and indicating. In the case of a heavy or long vehicle, we advise you to stay out of the vehicle’s blind spots. If you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, they can’t see you.

Bike riders don’t need lights at night

Myth. It is a legal requirement that all bicycles be fitted with a front (white) and rear light (red) while riding in low light environments. Bikes also need a red rear reflector that is visible up to 50m away. Watch our ‘What to wear’ video to find out more.

Bicycle riders don’t have to give their details if they’re involved in a crash

Myth. Details must be collected from anyone involved in an accident. If someone is injured or in immediate danger, call 000, but once everyone is safe, collect the details of all involved including witnesses. If you believe property damaged in the accident exceeds $2500, call the police to the scene.

Did we debunk any common cycling myths for you?