Australia: Rail, Road & Cycling

New South Wales has become the first Australian state to introduce a conditional registration scheme for medicinal cannabis patients, replacing automatic drug driving penalties with a threshold-based system. The reform requires patients to register with Transport for NSW and complete mandatory education, but questions remain about whether the new framework adequately balances road safety with patient rights.

New police powers in NSW allow officers to seize and destroy non-compliant e-bikes without court oversight. Understanding what makes an e-bike legal and when police can confiscate your device has become critical for riders across the state.

E-bikes and e-scooters are transforming urban transport in Australia, but what happens when accidents occur? This article examines the complex compensation challenges facing injured riders and pedestrians, revealing significant gaps in insurance coverage and exploring recent legislative changes that may leave victims without the protections available in traditional motor vehicle accidents.

A claimant is not entitled to ongoing statutory benefits, beyond 52 weeks, if their contributory negligence exceeds 61%.

Recent decision clarifies the circumstances under which a claimant, charged with a "serious driving offence", will have their entitlement to statutory benefits restored.

This article explores the legal basis for the rule, why it exists, and what drivers need to know to avoid falling foul of it.

Discusses the risks around e-scooters not being insured.

Outlines the legal status of e-bikes across Australia, including what distinguishes e-bikes from other motorised vehicles.

The new laws seek to balance the competing interests of road transport businesses and contractors in decisions relating to termination.