“PPCC Communication”
April 2021
Hi all….Welcome to the April 2021 edition of the PPCC Communication.
March 2021:
March has been very kind to our riders with sunny and mild weather for most riding days. Good numbers out through the week with more on Saturdays. Something a little different for one ride, a good size group competing a ‘tour of Port Pirie’ due to wet weather between Port Pirie and Napperby.
Four riders decided to complete ‘Franks Course’ on one Sunday in March with one rider leaving at 8:00am heading towards Port Broughton and the other three also starting at 8:00am but heading off to the Gladstone turn off to Crystal Brook. After taking a drink break at Crystal Brook, all four continued home via the Broughton Road to complete the course. A good enjoyable ride with excellent weather for both directions.
Talk around the ‘coffee table’ shows a keenness to get back to Abattoirs Road and Broughton Road ride to the ‘phone box’ and back now that the shoulders have been widened on the Broughton Road. Best you front up to the pre-ride get together to find out what direction the riders are going.
Whyalla Cycle Club – Crystal Brook 60km Cycle Road Race:
We have confirmation from the WCC that they have pencilled in the 60km Crystal Brook, Gladstone and return race/come try event for Saturday the 26th June. This date is subject to no other events happing in Crystal Brook on this date. The WCC are making enquiries and will let us know in due course.
Electric Bicycles:
I think most would have noticed the number of ‘electric’ bicycles and ‘scooters’ around town and have probably been passed by someone riding one while warming up around the streets prior to our rides. Are you aware that there are rules that apply to these types of transport? I came across an article on ‘Riding a Power Assisted Bicycle’ on the ‘SA Driving and Transport/Cycling’ website on all you need to know about ‘Power Assisted Bicycles’ and the law’.
“Riding a power-assisted bicycle –
A power assisted bicycle or pedal cycle, is a pedal cycle with an electric motor attached to assist the rider. The attached electric motor may provide assistance but the pedals must be the main means of propulsion.
In South Australia, there are two categories of power assisted bicycles that may be used legally on our roads:
Power assisted bicycles with an electric motor with a power output of up to 200 Watts and the power is controlled by either a throttle or an accelerator.
Power assisted bicycles with an electric motor with a power output of not more than 250 Watts of continuous power, which meets the definition of a pedelec (the power is controlled by the rider using the pedals).
New regulations regarding power assisted bicycles -
As from the 15 December 2016 internal combustion engines that are fitted to bicycles are not permitted to be used on South Australian roads or road-related areas.
What is a pedelec? -
To be a pedelec, legal for use on our roads, the power assisted bicycle must comply with the European Committee for Standardization EN 15194:2009 or EN 15194:2009+A1:2011 Cycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC Bicycle ('EN 15194') and this includes the following:
It must be certified by the manufacturer and labelled as complying with EN 15194. The label is often found on the bicycle's frame immediately adjacent to the crank. The label must have:
The manufacturer's name
The motor's cut off speed in km/h
Its electric motor maximum continuous rated power in watts.
The motor must be electric.
The maximum continuous power output of the motor cannot exceed 250 watts.
The rider must pedal to access the power
The motor may operate without pedalling up to a speed of 6 km/h.
The power must cut out when the pedelec reaches 25 km/h or sooner if the operator stops pedalling.
Road rules for power assisted bicycles –
Riders do not require a driver's licence, motor vehicle registration or compulsory third party insurance. Riders are bound by the same rules as for other bicycles, including the need for:
The rider to wear a helmet
Effective brakes
A bell, or other audible warning device
A rear-facing red reflector at night
A white light to the front and a red light to the rear at night (both may flash) clearly visible from at least 200 metres.
Differences between a power assisted bicycle and a motorcycle -
A power assisted bicycle is a bicycle with an electric motor attached to assist the rider. At first glance some motorbikes with pedals look very similar to power assisted bicycle. The main differences are speed, pedal crank spacing, weight, seat position, seat shape and gearing.
A good rule of thumb for deciding if the pedals are the main power source is:
If the distance between the inner faces of the cranks is less than 180 mm
Whether it can easily be ridden without power assistance (you should be able to ride it home if the assistance motor fails).
If these apply and the motor output is either 200 Watts (or less) or 250 Watts (and meets the definition of a pedelec), then it is a power assisted bicycle.
If the main source of power is the motor then it is a motor vehicle and operating it requires a driver's licence, registration and compulsory third party insurance. However, few, if any, of these vehicles are able to be registered because they are not capable of meeting registration requirements, such as compliance with the Australian Design Rules. Such vehicles cannot be legally operated on our roads.”
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/cycling/riding-a-power-assisted-bicycle
Public Perception:
A member of the public contacted me with concerns about a couple of cyclists riding on the ‘Airport’ Road during March. The caller was concerned about how ‘high’ up on the road one of the cyclists was riding. The caller was very polite and wasn’t sure if it was one of our club members but thought it would be something worth sharing.
Remember - Some people will judge all bicycle riders by your actions. If you disregard the road rules, you can undermine the goodwill of other cyclists.
BikeSA:
Please check your BikeSA memberships as you may find it is up for renewal. Renewal can be completed on the BikeSA website, by phone or ‘snail mail’. As per previous years, forward your receipt to our Treasurer for reimbursement of the fees.
As a Bike SA member you can participate in their organised rides. Contact Bike SA or check their web site.
(08 8168 9999) (office@bikesa.asn.au)
Have your say:
This is your newsletter as well so email your article to me and I will add it to the monthly newsletters and our web site. Ie: Coming events, cycling news articles, items for sale/wanted etc. Please email me anything you would like to contribute’.
Be safe, consider others and enjoy your riding.
Cheers,
Brenton
0417823057
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