Exclusive: Most Australians are unwilling to buy an e-bike as a Christmas present for their children or young relatives, according to a nine.com.au reader poll.
But those hoping to unwrap a shining new e-bike on Christmas morning may be disappointed.
Of the 476* readers surveyed, 86 per cent said they would not buy their own child or a child they knew an e-bike for Christmas.
A further 11 per cent said their answer would depend on factors like the child’s age.
“E-bikes are not for children they are too dangerous, there should be age restrictions on them,” one told 9news.com.au.
Another called e-bikes dangerous “missiles in the hands of immature and ill-equipped children”.
Only three per cent said they’d gift their child or a child they knew an e-bike.
And most would be unwilling to spend more than $500 on it.
One in 10 said they would spend between $500 and $1000 on an e-bike, and just three per cent said they would spend more than $1000.
But even the cheapest e-bike models from popular brands like DiroDi and Fatboy Bikes cost more than $2000 and $3000 respectively.
The majority of nine.com.au readers confessed they were opposed to young Australians being able to own and ride e-bikes altogether.
“I think the use of e-bikes should be restricted to those over the age of 16, fully regulated just like a motorbike, and only be allowed on the road,” one said.
“Currently children are riding them at high speeds on shared footpaths with impunity and absolutely no regard for other pedestrians.”
Another suggested children under the age of 16 should undergo a road rules test and e-bike handling course to ensure road safety before they’re allowed to own an e-bike.
Some voiced concerns about safety, reporting that they often see young riders on e-bikes without helmets, risking serious injuries.
Most nine.com.au readers said none of the children in their lives had asked for an e-bike for Christmas yet.
But with the holidays weeks away, that could still change.
*The nine.com.au poll, which runs once a fortnight, canvases the views of the Nine audience on 9Nation, which is an online community of our readers and viewers.
