The Local Government Association (LGA) of South Australia, alongside the City of Onkaparinga and the City of Holdfast Bay are calling for tougher and more consistent rules around e-bikes and e-scooters, warning that dangerous riding, excessive speeds and illegal devices are becoming a growing concern on shared paths and in busy public spaces.
The call comes as the RAA and the Australian Medical Association announced a push to ban under-16s from e-bikes as well as police powers to destroy illegal devices.
It also follows a string of recent incidents involving young riders, including the arrest of six boys aged 14 to 16 after police alleged they rode modified e-bikes recklessly through Adelaide’s CBD on August 16. Police said the group ran red lights, narrowly missed pedestrians and damaged vehicles, with the bikes allegedly modified to the point they were legally considered motorcycles.
The incident has added to growing concerns from councils about illegal devices, unsafe riding and the difficulty of enforcing existing laws, particularly on shared paths and in busy public spaces.
The Local Government Association of South Australia lodged its submission last Friday to the State Government’s Review of Personal Mobility Devices and e-bikes, drawing on feedback from councils across the state.
While councils support the continued use of compliant e-bikes and personal mobility devices such as e-scooters, the LGA says the current framework needs to be strengthened to improve safety and clarity around where and how the devices can be used.
“Councils are often the first to hear about local concerns, and the message they’re getting loud and clear is that e-bikes and e-scooters are creating growing safety concerns on shared paths and in busy public spaces,” LGA President Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross said.
Its submission makes seven recommendations to the State Government, including adopting a national standard for e-bikes, strengthening enforcement powers, improving rider education and collecting better data on crashes and dangerous behaviour.
It also calls for continued investment in safe and connected active transport infrastructure and stronger product stewardship for lithium-ion batteries, which can pose a fire risk when incorrectly disposed of.
Importantly for individual councils, the LGA wants local governments to retain the ability to seek restrictions on e-bikes and e-scooters in particular locations where there are demonstrated safety or accessibility issues.
The issue is already being felt in some of Adelaide’s busiest coastal areas, with City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were adding that they are “hearing increasing reports of unsafe rider behaviour, including along our coast and shared-use paths, that is putting our communities at risk.”
She said stronger State Government regulation, compliance and enforcement would help councils balance the benefits of the devices with the need to keep pedestrians and other path users safe.
Holdfast Bay has reported similar concerns, particularly along Coast Park and other popular shared areas.
Mayor Amanda Wilson said residents had raised issues over the past year about dangerous riding, excessive speeds and illegal or modified e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices.
While the council supports compliant devices as part of a more sustainable transport network, she said community safety needed to remain the priority.
The LGA is urging the State Government to use its review to establish clearer responsibilities between state and local authorities, improve enforcement and give councils greater flexibility to respond to problem areas in their own communities.
