The current influx of e-bikes and scooters on our roads and paths today is, in part, thanks to Former Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Barnaby Joyce. Back in 2021 he amended to Road Vehicles Standards Act to remove the requirements that imported e-bikes meet strict Australian or European safety standards. This opened up the market to cheap, high-powered products that are legal to sell, but not necessarily legal to use. In some cases, they should fall under the same rules are electric motorbikes.
The cheap price means that more and more are being sold and are finding their ways onto our roads and paths. In 2017 there were around 9,000 sales of e-bikes and that increased dramatically to 200,000 in 2022. From a transportation sense, this is a great thing. More people commuting by e-bike reduces the load on the roads and public transport, and in places like Perth, where we have an average of 138.7 completely clear days, it makes sense (Melbourne has 48.6).
However, there has been a downside. Unlike the e-scooter revolution that took place before hand, the e-bikes are seen as a more viable way of group riding that has turned into a form of hooning. Mass groups of e-bikes meet up for “rideouts” where they have been condemned by police for their bad and dangerous behaviour. There was one in particular earlier this year where a large group rode over Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The increase in popularity, especially with younger people, has also meant an increase in e-bike related injuries, with a couple of notable deaths in Victoria this year. Emergency Departments in VIC and NSW have both reported and 400% increase in people arriving with e-bike related injuries since 2020.
So how does this affect us, as what I guess we consider to be regular bike riders. Well besides being tarred with the same brush, where unruly behaviour on the road in a pack of e-bikes puts the same angst onto us, it has at least made the government stand up and notice. In mid May, the WA State Government made changes to the road rules that affect both normal bike riders and eRidables. These aren’t sweeping changes that will see bikes given the same respect like they have in places like Amsterdam, but are definitely steps forward to improving our safety on the road.
There were four changes, but two are applicable to how we operate.
- Bike riders and eRideable users are not required to use hand signals if it would be unsafe to do so, such as steep descents. If a device is fitted with brake lights, flashing light signalling devices or illuminated indicators then the rider is still required to use those.
- Bike riders and eRideable users no longer need to keep left when travelling through single-lane roundabouts.
The first one is an interesting one as it makes sense that you need to control the bike and the brakes are on the handlebars. However, I do find that our safety as cyclists, is often in the hands of the drivers, and the clearer about our intentions we are, the safer we will be. If I’m doing a right hand turn and need to give way to oncoming traffic, I will be in the middle of the road. If I don’t make my intentions clear to the traffic coming up behind me, then things can start getting confusing. This is mainly due to everyone’s standard assumption that bikes should be hard left in the gutter at all times. I will always to try to shoot out a quick signal even if I need to put both hands back on to brake properly.
The second change is one that I have always done and it is purely for my own safety. Roundabouts are a notorious choke point. Even if the roads leading up to and away from have a shoulder or bike lane, they automatically disappear as they approach it. Road lanes with a shoulder will reduce from 4.5 metres down to 3.5 metres at the entry to the roundabout. The new Dodge RAM 2500 is 2.2 metres wide stretching to 2.6 metres when including the extended mirrors. It doesn’t leave us a lot of room. When riding by myself, I will always check for a small break in traffic then move out to “take the lane” before entering the roundabout. Drivers don’t always have a good understanding of where the off-side of their vehicle is and it doesn’t take much to be on the receiving end of a quarter panel. The interesting thing about this change is that it now brings WA in line with the Australian Road Rules.
Will these changes mean we need to operate differently? Not really. Will they mean that we get more respect and less angst on the road? Doubtful. But if the intent is for the rules to reflect how more people travel and attempt to improve safety for all road users, then hopefully, it is a good thing.
Other Information
Tour De France Event
The Tour de France this year will be celebrated by South Perth Rouleurs through Alliance Française de Perth inspired by three different regions of the cycling calendar. Events include: 1. Grand depart Barcelona; 2. Pyrenees and the Grand South-West; 3. The Alps and jersey predictions. This is in lieu of our traditional French dinner.
Saturday 4th July 2026 6.00-9.00pm celebrates the grand depart from Barcelona with festive Spanish themed catering including a cocktail, red wine, food and to top it off, a Chapoutier white wine from Roussillon region.
Thursday 9th July 2026 Quiz night 6.30-8.30pm features a Tour de France quiz with prizes, a regional presentation and tastings inspired by the Pyrenees and the Grand South-West. Book tables with five people.
Friday 24th July 2026 6.00-8.30pm The Alps with regional tasting, the reveal of the sealed jersey predictions and discussion of the most memorable moments of the Tour.
Cost: $63pp for each event separately with discount code ask admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au
Any two events is $117pp with discount code; All three costs $166.50pp with discount code.
Contact reception for <18yo pricing 9386 7921 or by email at reception@afperth.com.au
Location: 75 Broadway, Nedlands WA
Bookings: https://www.afperth.com.au/cultural-events/tour-de-france/
2026 and 2027 international trips –
SPR is again looking to organise trips overseas after the success of ones to the Italian & Swiss Alps 2025 and The Grand Alps France 2024.
Please complete this brief EOI for either or both tours
Note: no SPR member nor the club benefit from the organising of these trips – it is intended to extend the cycling experience with fellow cyclists
Tour de Cowaramup 18th Oct –
The Tour de Cowaramup charity road bike event is on again this year on Sunday 18 th October. Three distances 60km (piccolo), 85km (medio) and 130km (gran) with funds going to assist men suffering from Prostate Cancer.
Start/ finish: Juniper Estate
Register for normal entry $125 until 30th September, then late registration $145-$180. If no SPR team already established when you go to register, please set up a SPR team based on the distance eg SPR-Gran, SPR-Medio or SPR-Piccolo so others can join you.
We have booked accommodation for three nights at the Leeuwin Apartments as per last year; in Friday 16th October out Monday 19th October 2026. This is now currently full with those who have already put in an EOI. However, in case there is a cancellation or enough new interest, we could book another apartment but would need to know soon via this EOI. Note shorter stays cost the same price. Please contact Carol or Danielle via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au for more info.
Upcoming Racing
- WCMCC Road Race at TBC (21 June)
- WCMCC Road Race at Chidlow (28 June)
- WCMCC Road Race at Herne Hill (5 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (5 July)
- WCMCC Road Race at Dog Hill (12 July)
- WACX Numbat Cup at Iho Park (19 July)
- WCMCC Road Race at Chidlow (19 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (19 July)
Juniors
Great job to all of the juniors who competed at the CX last weekend. It was fantastic to see so some of you there, especially given the poor weather forecast.
The weather this week is expected to be very cold, so it’s important that everyone dresses appropriately to stay warm and safe while riding. Long-sleeve jerseys, a jacket, and full-finger gloves are essential at this time of year. I would also strongly recommend wearing leg warmers and shoe covers to help keep your feet and legs warm.
The training program for this week is as follows:
Saturday (20/6)
For our U13 and U11 juniors, for those who are not at the velodrome with X-Speed, we will meet in Shelley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/7A2E5wHHmDC9yToe6) at 10:30 am for a skill session along Riverton Dr. We will learn how to give turns and roll in a bunch.
We may adjust the plan for the day to suit the abilities and experience of the riders attending. If you are a beginner and joining for the first time, it’s very important that you let me know in advance. I may plan a separate course for beginners, but I need to coordinate with other volunteers to make sure we have the right support.
I invite our U17 and U15 juniors to join our main club rides from Coode St car park (South Perth) at 7am. I will be there supervising them.
Please check our WhatsApp SPR junior channel for any last minute call. If you are not in the group chat, please let me know if you wuol like to be included.
Events coming up:
20/6/2026 – WA Junior Road State Series – Round 1
https://entryboss.cc/races/30575
27/6/2026 – SPR CX training for beginners – Garvey Park from 11am.
CX: https://wacyclocross.org/racing/calendar/
From the Ride Coordinator
Another reminder to everyone that our Saturday rides are group rides! You’ve heard this many times from us, and it applies every weekend, “it’s not a race!”
Don’t race off from the lights, or when you get to the top of a hill or even when cornering. Give the riders at the back a chance to clip in, crest that climb and catch up on those corners. Ease up just a touch and keep the bunch together.
Also, take your turns in the roll-throughs & don’t surge off the front. Group riding is a skill that needs practicing and there is no better feeling than working as part of a cohesive unit that cruises along.
To those riders that do these small things that make the bunch a better ride, know that we see you and appreciate you!
Saturday 20th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
All rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Development group (*) – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
Transition: Trans Abernethy 39.96km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Holmes & Ridge Hill Rd 53.35km SPR Saturday
(*) Please note that our Ride Leaders will adjust the composition and route for Development, Transition and Main 4 to suit people and conditions on the day.
Sunday 21st June
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Welsh Mel-Falls MWR 64.18km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Welsh Mel-Falls MWR 64.18km SPR Sunday
Long Hills:
Welsh Fall Forrest Patt Lawn Zigzag 89.7km SPR Sunday
Monday 22nd June
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 23rd June
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Two groups – solid roll through vs relaxed pace
SPR Tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
Ride starts at 6:30am at Koorak Kings Park Cafe Car Park
Main 4/Transitional/Novice
Kings Park laps at own pace, coffee at 7:30am
Wednesday 24th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Thursday 25th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Friday 26th June
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am