Strong growth in electric bike sales in Hobart sales means the second Annual Electric Bike Rally is very timely, organisers said today. The Rally is on Saturday 28 Feb from 11am to 2pm at Bellerive Regional Park.
“Our estimate is that sales in the Hobart area have increased around 15% this year,” said coordinator Alan Whykes of Bicycle Network Tasmania. “A lot of people are interested in a mode of transport that is fun, cheap, effective and environmentally friendly.”
The main focus of the rally is free test rides of latest-model electric bicycles. Members of the public can take the bikes on an off-road section of the Clarence Foreshore Trail to see how they like the machines.
“Electric bikes are bringing new people to cycling, and people who haven’t ridden for a very long time,” Whykes said. “They feel that the electric assist can enable them to cover distances and conquer hills they otherwise wouldn’t feel confident about.”
Melbourne-based You Tube channel Axis of Epic is sending a team to cover the event. For the socially-minded there is a group ride to the Rally starting at 10.15am at the office of Bicycle at 210 Collins St. Cartoonist Jon Kudelka will be signing copies of his ‘Spiritual Journey’ book about a Tasmanian whisky tour undertaken by electric bike last year.
BNT also made the point that e-bikes being sold in Hobart were legal for use on roads and on bike paths. “Some of the petrol-powered contraptions on the other hand are technically motorcycles. They need registration and a motorcycle helmet to go on-road and cannot legally be ridden on bike paths. We think e-bikes are a much better solution which is why we encourage new riders to make a sensible choice.”
Alan Whykes of Bicycle Network Tasmania. Pub: Feb 25
