Strong Demand So Far for Tasmanian E-Bike Subsidies

Bicycle store shop front

Hobart, Tasmania As we previously reported here, late last year Tasmania became the first Australian state to announce an e-bike subsidy program. There are many subsidy programs already underway or completed elsewhere in the world including Europe and the USA. They consistent pattern has been strong and immediate uptake and based on the following information,…

Tasmanian Infrastructure Minister Considers E-Bike Power Boost

E-bike Motor deconstructed

Hobart, Tasmania E-Bikes with more powerful motors could be allowed on Tasmanian roads, following a commitment from the State’s Minister for Infrastructure, Michael Ferguson, to consider motors up to 500 watts. Tasmania’s two houses of parliament last month passed a vehicle and traffic amendment Bill that outlaws petrol-powered bicycles and includes a change which allows…

Tasmania Leads Australia in E-bike Purchasing Incentives

Two people cycling on e-bikes

Hobart, Tasmania The Tasmania Government has begun piecing together the details of its announced $1.2 million incentives to increase the uptake of electric vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters, promised during the unveiling of its Climate Change Action Plan 2023-25 last month. The Government’s Climate Change Office confirmed this week it `has begun consultation with relevant community…

Impressions of Hobart – Better Days Ahead?

Hobart’s Bridge of Remembrance

Hobart, Tasmania During May I had a rare opportunity to spend two days in Hobart. This was my first visit in several years and I was able to see the latest cycling infrastructure developments, as well have off-the-record meetings with key stakeholders across the government and private sectors. It was certainly cold during my visit!…

Hobart Switches on First Public E-Bike Charging Stations

Person using public e-bike charging station

Hobart, Tasmania Tasmania’s first public, free e-bike chargers were activated in Hobart last week. The City of Hobart council has installed two e-bike charging bays at the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre, as part of a reconfigured parking space for regular bikes near the centre’s entrance. Hobart’s Sustainability in Infrastructure Portfolio Chair, Councillor Bill Harvey,…

Councils Teaming Up to Share Micromobility Knowledge

Escooter shared service on Launceston street

Launceston, Tasmania A new micromobility information sharing network was launched last week for local government officials throughout Australia. The Australian Local Government Micromobility (ALGM) group, hosted on the Microsoft Teams platform, was inspired by the growing number of Australian councils involved in e-scooter and e-bike share services. However, it is likely to become a source…

Tasmanian Cities to Keep E-Scooter Share Services

two people riding e-scooters in the city

Hobart & Launceston, Tasmania E-Scooter share services are set to become permanent fixtures in Hobart and Launceston, with the local councils of both Tasmanian cities last week endorsing recommendations for ongoing services. City of Hobart council voted to offer licences for ongoing hire and ride services in the city, with conditions for the licence to…

Tasmanian Rail Trail Extension Gets Launceston Council Green Light

Lilydale, Tasmania A proposed 41km extension of northern Tasmania’s North East Rail Trail has cleared a major milestone, with Launceston Council last week giving approval for the section within its boundaries. City of Launceston’s decision to approve its 14km section, from Wyena to Lilydale Falls Reserve, comes a year after the neighbouring Dorset Council endorsed…

Tasmanian Rail Trail Extension Open for Public Comment

North East Rail Trail

Lilydale, Tasmania A vital section of a proposed rail trail extension in north-eastern Tasmania is open for community comment until 14th September. The City of Launceston is inviting comment on a development application for the 14km section that sits within its local government area, between Wyena and Lilydale Falls Reserve. It’s part of a total…

Speakers Invited for Sustainable Trails Conference

Mountain bike trail

St Helens, Tasmania Authorities in sustainable trails planning, construction and monitoring are invited to nominate as speakers for this year’s Sustainable Trails Conference, being held in Tasmania on 1st to 3rd November. Innovative storytellers interested in speaking at the conference, being held at St Helens in North East Tasmania, have until 6th July to submit…