ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS' REPORT

Bicycle Safety and Power Assisted Bicycles

Victoria police have contacted the college concerned about student’s safe use of bicycles travelling to and from school and the use of power-assisted bicycles. The Police have expressed their concern in relation to these two areas because:

1. Some students in the Manningham area are riding their bikes in a dangerous manner and not following Victorian bicycle rules. The following link to the Vic Roads website outlines these rules for safe cycling:

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/bicycles

Police in the Manningham area have made contact with us because they have received a number of reports from community members, regarding dangerous cycling activities on major roads in the area, students are taking unnecessary risks - Please ride safely.

2. There are students who are using power-assisted bicycles. Victoria police are very concerned that these may not comply with the legal requirements of power-assisted bicycles in Victoria. The Vic Road guidelines that classify a power-assisted bicycle as either a bicycle or a motorcycle is on the Vic Roads website:

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/power-assisted-bicycles

There are a number of petrol motor conversion kits available on the market that convert bicycles into motorbikes. The most readily available kits do not comply with the standards for a power-assisted bicycle. These petrol conversion kits mean that the bicycle is then classified as a motorbike which requires registration and licencing of the rider/driver and other associated laws.

It is important that all students and their families are aware of these concerns regarding the use of bicycles and their safe use to and from the college. If you do use a power-assisted bicycle, please check that it complies with the legal definition of a power-assisted bicycle.

The college and I are not authorised to provide any guidance with regard to the legal use of a power-assisted bicycle, please seek support from Vic Roads and the Victoria Police if you have any inquiries.

Belinda McGee

Assistant Principal