ecoTekk e-Bike Safety

When you hire and E-bike from us you are supplied with the following equipment with the hire:

• Helmets (you may choose to wear your own)
• Bicycle Locks all hires;
• Pannier baskets (as you require);
• Battery keys were required;
• Battery charger (overnight hires only)
• Mobile phone pouch (comfort bicycles hire only);
• Drink bottle holder;
• Optional High Visibility vest (if requested).

Cycling on footpaths can be a great way to navigate Queensland’s beautiful landscapes while ensuring your safety and that of pedestrians. Here are some tips to help you ride responsibly and considerately:

1. Stay Alert and Aware: Always be on the lookout for pedestrians, other cyclists, and obstacles on the footpath. Keep your speed manageable so you can react quickly to any unexpected situations.
2. Use Your Bell: Use a bell or call out to alert pedestrians of your presence, especially when approaching from behind. A friendly “passing on your left” can go a long way in preventing accidents.
3. Slow Down Near Pedestrians: Reduce your speed below 6-8 km per hour when you see pedestrians ahead. This gives you more time to react and allows pedestrians to feel more comfortable.
4. Give Way: Pedestrians always have the right of way on footpaths. Be prepared to stop or slow down to let them pass safely.
5. Keep to the Left: Just like on roads, keep to the left side of the footpath. This makes it easier for pedestrians and other cyclists to anticipate your movements.
6. Avoid Crowded Footpaths: If a footpath is particularly busy, consider walking your bike or finding an alternative route to avoid potential conflicts with pedestrians.
7. Communicate Clearly: When overtaking pedestrians, communicate your intentions clearly. A simple “coming past on your right” or “passing on your right” helps pedestrians know where you are and what you plan to do.
8. Be Extra Cautious Around Children and Pets: Children and pets can be unpredictable. Slow down and be prepared for sudden movements when passing them.
9. Respect Shared Pathways: Queensland footpaths are designated as shared pathways unless signposted otherwise. Be mindful of the shared nature of these spaces and respect the rights of all users.
10. Follow Local Rules and Regulations: Familiarize yourself with local cycling laws and guidelines in Queensland to ensure you’re riding legally and safely.

For more information, the Queensland Government has a good page on this: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Cycling/Cycling-safety/Tips 

By following these tips, you can help create a safer environment for both cyclists and pedestrians on Queensland’s footpaths. Happy riding

The Bicycle Speed Limits in Queensland are as follows:

• Footpaths — 12km/h maximum
• Shared paths —12km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise)
• Separated paths—20km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise)
• Veloway Bicycle paths — 25km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise)
• Roads — 25km/h maximum

Speeding fines. Description of offence Legislation Fine Queensland Road Rules — Section 20

Yes, under Queensland Laws you must wear an Australian Standard (AS) approved bicycle  AS 2063 or AS/NZS 2063 helmet. ecoTekk supplies these helmets while you are hiring one of our E-Bikes.

Or, you are free to BYO an Australian Standard (AS) approved helmet.

A bicycle rider fails to wear a helmet whilst riding a bicycle.  Queensland Road Rules—Section 256(1)  fine $161

Bicycle rider fail to wear helmet Queensland Road Rules—Section 256(1) $161

No. Under the conditions of hire of our e-Bikes, you are required to wear closed-in shoes at all times.

No.  To keep yourself and other road users safe your full attention is needed when riding. Using a mobile phone held in your hand when riding a bicycle is illegal under Queensland Road Rules—Section 300(1)  even if you’re stopped in traffic.
This means you can’t:

• Hold the phone next to or near your ear with your hand
• Write, send or read a text message
• Turn your phone on or off
• Operate any other function on your phone

To use your mobile phone you must stop and dismount the bicycle.

Bicycle Ride Using a hand-held mobile phone while riding a bicycle fine of $1,161

You can turn right at an intersection using a hook turn. The way you should do this depends on whether or not the intersection has traffic lights.

If the intersection has no traffic lights, you should:

1. keep to the far left side of the road and move forward through the intersection
2. pause and give way to motorists moving through the intersection
3. when the road is clear, move forward across the road.

If the intersection has traffic lights, you should:

1. move forward through the intersection from the bicycle lane on a green light
2. stop in the box or in a safe area in the opposite corner, and turn your bicycle to the right (in the direction of the marked arrow). If there is no line marking for hook turns, you should stop where you are clear of traffic. You will now be facing a red light
3. when the light turns green, move forward through the intersection

Some intersections will have line markings for you to use for hook turns.

A hook turn storage box is an area marked on the road within an intersection. It shows you where to wait if you are performing a hook turn.

You can turn right at an intersection using a hook turn. The way you should do this depends on whether or not the intersection has traffic lights.

If the intersection has no traffic lights, you should:

1. keep to the far left side of the road and move forward through the intersection
2. pause and give way to motorists moving through the intersection
3. when the road is clear, move forward across the road.

If the intersection has traffic lights, you should:

1. move forward through the intersection from the bicycle lane on a green light
2. stop in the box or in a safe area in the opposite corner, and turn your bicycle to the right (in the direction of the marked arrow). If there is no line marking for hook turns, you should stop where you are clear of traffic. You will now be facing a red light
3. when the light turns green, move forward through the intersection.

Some intersections will have line markings for you to use for hook turns. See hook turns or right-hand turns with bike lane.

At multi-lane roundabouts, motor vehicle drivers who want to turn right must enter the roundabout and turn from the right lane (unless signs or road markings indicate otherwise). However, when you are riding a bicycle, you may enter the roundabout and turn right from the left or right lane.

Breaking the bicycle laws in Queensland can result in a fine of between $78 to $1040+. These fines also apply to children breaking the law, with the responsible adult liable for the payment of fines incurred.

For a more comprehensive of current fines and penalties for breaking bicycle laws in Queensland visit Queensland Government Bicycle riding rules and fines at https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/fines/cycling

1. Keep at two hands on handlebars unless giving signals.
2. Have one leg on each side of the seat.
3. Face forward.
4. To signal RIGHT-TURN, extend arm out horizontally with hand open, palm facing forward. To signal STOP, raise arm with elbow bent at right angle and hand up with palm facing forward.
5. One person per bike unless the bike is designed as a tandem bike.
6. Keep two meters from the back of a vehicle when following.
7. DO NOT ride into the path of a driver or pedestrian.
8. Keep left at all times.
9. Do not overtake another vehicle on the left if that vehicle is indicating and turning left.
10. Do not ride more than two abreast.
11. If riding beside another rider, ride no more than 1.5m apart.

For a more comprehensive list of rules go to https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/bicycle

You must dismount and walk your bike

DO NOT RIDE IN PUBLIC SQUARES, WALK YOUR BIKE.

A public square is a NO Bicycle zone.

DO NOT RIDE IN PUBLIC SQUARES, WALK YOUR BIKE.

1. You must follow all road rules
2. You are sharing the road with other vehicles
3. Single file in traffic
4. Keep as far left as possible
5. Follow speed limits
6. Maximum two abreast when no other traffic present

1. You must follow all road rules
2. You are sharing the road with other vehicles
3. Single file in traffic
4. Keep as far left as possible
5. Follow speed limits
6. Maximum two abreast when no other traffic present

• For bicycles only
• You can use any speed to a maximum 25km/hr or as signposted

• Cyclists use the side of the pathway indicated by the sign
• Cyclists’ max speed is 25km/hr or as signposted

• Keep left, ring the bell to warn pedestrians of your moving past them
• Cyclists give way to people, slow down
• Cyclist maximum speed 12km/hr or as signposted

The primary factor contributing to the cost of our e-Bike Tours and Hire is public liability insurance, which accounts for up to 22% of the expenses for half-day hires. This insurance is essential to ensure the safety and security of all participants. As for children, we strive to keep their fees as low as possible. Their charges are set only to cover or partially cover the necessary insurance costs. We aim to make our tours accessible while maintaining the highest safety standards.

The delivery fee for single e-bike hires primarily covers two significant costs. Firstly, up to 42% of our operational costs are allocated to public liability insurance, which is essential for ensuring the safety of all our participants during half-day hires. Secondly, with the recent significant increase in fuel prices, we must account for the costs of transporting the e-bike directly to your location. We are committed to accommodating solo travellers and providing the convenience of “travel-by-myself” options, but these services require resources to maintain the quality and reliability you expect from us.

Access & Inclusion:  A series of Accessible Tools have been developed for ecoTekk Sunshine Coast to “Know before you go” and understand our venues accessibility ahead of time..