Cowra Neighbourhood Watch would like to invite community members to a public information session to be held at Cowra Bowling Club on the 21st of October where a variety of topics will be covered.
Lex and Brenda from The Right Weigh will be talking about the importance of ensuring that your caravan or motor home is not overweight, and that weights are correctly balanced. This issue is a major contributor to accidents involving caravans. The Right Weigh will also be available to weigh your caravan or motorhome on Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd October. They will be situated on the Mid Western Highway on the flat area at the rest stop. They are also available to come to you to weigh.
Bookings are essential for this.
Members of the State Emergency Service will discuss how to prepare for storms and behaviour around flooding and Fire and Rescue NSW will present information on how to prepare for the upcoming fire season.
The information session will be followed by the Cowra Neighbourhood watch Annual General meeting. If you wish to attend the information session, please book by phoning 0421 779 354, or contact us through Facebook Messenger.
Our topic for September is E scooters, bikes and other electrically powered modes of personal transport.
As these forms of transport become more affordable and available, we need to be mindful of how and where they are used and their overall safety and the legality of their uses.
There are two types of permitted e-bikes permitted in NSW. One is power-assisted pedal cycles where the rider must primarily propel these bikes – a motor can’t be the only source propelling it.
The motor should only help the rider, like when going uphill or facing strong winds.
The other is electrically power-assisted cycles have a maximum continued rated power of up to 500 watts. This power output must be progressively reduced as the bicycle’s speed increases beyond 6km/h and cut off when cycle reaches a speed of 25km/h or you stop pedalling and the speed exceeds 6km/h.
When riding these bicycles, cyclists are expected to obey the same road rules as other road users and non-electric cyclists, including wearing a helmet, riding on the left-hand side of the road or designated in cycle lanes and not on the footpath.
E scooters, motorised skateboards and other motorised wheeled devices and hoverboards are illegal in NSW.
Even though they are considered motor vehicles, they do not satisfy Australian design rules and so cannot be registered or insured. These devices cannot be ridden on roads, footpaths or shared paths and cycleways in NSW. You can be fines $818 for riding an illegal E bike or scooter on public land. These vehicles can only legally be used on private property.
These electric vehicles are powered by lithium ion batteries. Under most circumstances these batteries are extremely safe, however we have seen on news bulletins many occasions when fires have occurred when charging them.
Captain Steve Overman from Cowra NSW Fire and Rescue stated that they had not been called to any fires relating to lithium-ion batteries at this stage but urged residents to remain vigilant when using and charging appliances.
To prevent fires, only use original chargers that come with the vehicle and avoid charging when full. Protect batteries from damage by handling with care and avoid extreme temperatures. Discard any damaged batteries immediately and appropriately. Take them to B-cycle dropoff points at participating retailers like Bunnings, Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, or to a Community Recycling Centre.
You can find your nearest location using the B-cycle search tool. Before disposal, tape the battery terminals to prevent short circuits. Happy and safe E cycling!
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