In Europe 250 watt pedelecs reduce pollution and improve the safety and mobility of young and elderly riders

The 250 watt "pedelec" is a state of the art electric bicycle invented in Japan in 1990. The EU bicycle Industry has been using that name for many years; pedelec it is not a brand name. The 250 watt pedelec is perhaps the safest type of mass produced electric bicycle; available in Europe the US and Japan, but not sold in Australia since 2001. It offers a simple, healthy alternative to much motor vehicle travel in urban areas. Revised EU pedelec safety regulations will soon apply. It is argued that Australia should adopt them for 4 reasons. 1: In 2010 pedelecs were considered as safe as bicycles in countries with lower low road death rates per 100,000 population than Australia: Sweden, the Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland and Germany; 2. Pedelecs enlarge train and bus access and make cross suburban travel across radiating rail lines easier; pedelec access is three times more efficient than a bicycle; 3. Millions of the elderly find walking and driving too stressful. Japan conducted research, which found that elderly cyclists needed bicycles with auxiliary motors that took 50 per cent less effort to ride; 4. Pedelecs are similar to bicycles but a little heavier; the same wheels and frames but safer with an automatic motor start that cuts out at 25 km/hr.