Australia: State puts brakes on petrol bikes

IN a world of rising fuel prices and climate change awareness, these petrol-powered bicycles are seen by some as the way of the future.

But not, it appears, by the State Government which has outlawed them on roads.


The move has outraged the bike industry and its customers, many of whom are over the age of 55 and have been riding for years.

Others remain unaware of the change and continue to ride their motorised bicycles.

Gold Coast company Rotary Bike, which produces the powered vehicles from West Burleigh, is now leading the charge to bring back the fuel-efficient form of transport.

“In a world with impending peak oil it seems odd that the Queensland Government has gone and already banned one type of alternative product,” said Rotary Bike technical manager Dale Ellis.

“They slipped it through without any consultation with the industry.”

Goldcoast