Letter to the Editor: e-bike fright

DEAR News Of The Area,

I ride a pushbike on the cycleways and in the space of 5mins, I was [recently] passed by two e-bikes, both travelling about 50km/h – and neither rang their bell before passing.

This is very frightening for me and must be even more so for pedestrians.

If I think there is nobody behind me I might swerve to miss glass or stop suddenly to pick up a rock or a piece of wood that could cause a bike fall.

I have decided to start weaving across the cycleway often which makes it a necessity for a bike to ring to pass me by. Pedestrians should not be afraid to use the shared paths and bike riders can help prevent [accidents] by moving off the path if there is a group of folk walking together, if there’s a person walking a dog, a parent pushing a pram or elderly people walking.

And e-bike riders, please ring your bell and slow down to at least 10km/h to pass anyone,

Judy Quickenden

Coffs Harbour