Part 7/11:
Another point of debate revolves around the cost and accessibility of e-bikes. High-quality e-bikes can cost around $5,000—comparable to a small used car—and require significant discretionary income. For lower-income households, who are more likely to commute long distances—sometimes over 30 kilometers each way—riding an e-bike isn't feasible regardless of subsidies.
Moreover, the average Sydney commuter spends approximately 70 minutes daily traveling, and only a minority commute over substantial distances. For such individuals, e-bikes are less practical, further suggesting that subsidies targeted solely at high-end e-bikes might be ineffective or unfairly benefit wealthier residents.