Regulations and safety for electric bicycles and other low-powered vehicles

Background

This research report presents a review of overseas legislation, technology trends, market and safety analyses for low-powered, low-speed vehicles. These vehicles include electric bicycles, mobility scooters, self-balancing devices and other personal mobility or wheeled recreational devices. Based on a literature review, consultation with key stakeholders in two forums and an online survey with over 1200 responses, the research assesses various regulatory and non-regulatory options for improving safety while supporting technological innovation and mode choice options in New Zealand. This work was published as Research Report 621 by the NZ Transport Agency.

Every year since then, we compared our e-bike sales prediction scenarios from the research report with actual data. And what do you know? The e-bike market is exploding, with sales matching our "extreme growth scenario".

Objective
Inform any potential changes to the vehicle classification and road user rules for electric bicycles and other LPVs and devices; determine non-regulatory alternatives for improving safety outcomes.
Client
NZ Transport Agency
Location
Nationwide
Deliverable
Report
Timeframe
August 2016 - June 2017
Project Status
Complete
John Lieswyn
Director – Principal Transportation Planner