Latest news with #2032Games
Sydney Morning Herald
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
The big e-bike problem. They hurt.
'We see a lot of these riders with no helmets on at all, or bicycle helmets, and they're doing non-bicycle speeds. They're doing speeds that are normally reserved for registered vehicles like motorbikes, which have their own laws around protective equipment, like proper helmets.' The latest Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit data shows a 627 per cent jump in people going to hospital with an e-bike injury since 2019, though data analyst Jane Hayman noted the rate climbed as people were using the bikes more. There was a 60 per cent rise in injuries in the 2023/24 financial year. Hayman said 15-19 year olds were most often going to hospital in Victoria, followed by 20-24 and 25-29 year olds. 'While those aged 16 years or less are not legally allowed to ride on the road, 47 per cent of this age group were injured while riding on a road, street or highway,' Hayman said. 'This is a concern given that they are the largest age group attending hospitals. As e-bikes become more popular more research is warranted to find out how these bikes are being used and ridden by children.' Loading Earlier this month, a pedestrian was hit and killed by a modified e-bike in Victoria and the rider was left with likely 'life-changing' injuries. The dead man's brother called for e-bikes to be banned because of the danger they posed. In New South Wales this month, the government announced plans to legalise e-scooters following a parliamentary inquiry into their use, but made no changes to e-bike regulations. E-bikes that have been modified to go faster than 25km/h are illegal to ride on or near public roads in both Victoria and NSW. 'Work is going on to create a better framework for shared e-bike schemes that will reduce clutter on streets,' the NSW government said in a statement. 'E-bikes must be mostly propelled by riders; a motor cannot be the only source of power and is there to help riders ... The same rules and responsibilities apply to riders of an e-bike as a traditional bicycle.' Transport for NSW does not track e-bikes as a separate category in its injury data. In Queensland, the government launched a parliamentary inquiry this month into the use of e-mobility devices because of a rise in injuries from both e-bikes and e-scooters – up 112 per cent between 2021 and 2024. Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the increase in injuries could not be ignored. 'It's important we consider all research and opinions, to ensure a safe and reliable future for e-scooters and e-bikes, especially as we welcome visitors from all over the world for the 2032 Games,' he said in a statement. Queensland Police said more than 2700 infringements were issued for illegal e-mobility road use between November 2022 and December 2024.
The Age
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Age
The big e-bike problem. They hurt.
'We see a lot of these riders with no helmets on at all, or bicycle helmets, and they're doing non-bicycle speeds. They're doing speeds that are normally reserved for registered vehicles like motorbikes, which have their own laws around protective equipment, like proper helmets.' The latest Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit data shows a 627 per cent jump in people going to hospital with an e-bike injury since 2019, though data analyst Jane Hayman noted the rate climbed as people were using the bikes more. There was a 60 per cent rise in injuries in the 2023/24 financial year. Hayman said 15-19 year olds were most often going to hospital in Victoria, followed by 20-24 and 25-29 year olds. 'While those aged 16 years or less are not legally allowed to ride on the road, 47 per cent of this age group were injured while riding on a road, street or highway,' Hayman said. 'This is a concern given that they are the largest age group attending hospitals. As e-bikes become more popular more research is warranted to find out how these bikes are being used and ridden by children.' Loading Earlier this month, a pedestrian was hit and killed by a modified e-bike in Victoria and the rider was left with likely 'life-changing' injuries. The dead man's brother called for e-bikes to be banned because of the danger they posed. In New South Wales this month, the government announced plans to legalise e-scooters following a parliamentary inquiry into their use, but made no changes to e-bike regulations. E-bikes that have been modified to go faster than 25km/h are illegal to ride on or near public roads in both Victoria and NSW. 'Work is going on to create a better framework for shared e-bike schemes that will reduce clutter on streets,' the NSW government said in a statement. 'E-bikes must be mostly propelled by riders; a motor cannot be the only source of power and is there to help riders ... The same rules and responsibilities apply to riders of an e-bike as a traditional bicycle.' Transport for NSW does not track e-bikes as a separate category in its injury data. In Queensland, the government launched a parliamentary inquiry this month into the use of e-mobility devices because of a rise in injuries from both e-bikes and e-scooters – up 112 per cent between 2021 and 2024. Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the increase in injuries could not be ignored. 'It's important we consider all research and opinions, to ensure a safe and reliable future for e-scooters and e-bikes, especially as we welcome visitors from all over the world for the 2032 Games,' he said in a statement. Queensland Police said more than 2700 infringements were issued for illegal e-mobility road use between November 2022 and December 2024.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Paralympics boss positive about Brisbane 2032 progress
Brisbane is on the right track for the 2032 Paralympics but the new venues must consider accessibility first, the international boss says. During a short two-day trip to Brisbane, International Paralympics Committee President Andrew Parsons was favourable of the progress the city is making towards the 2032 deadline. "We are very happy where we are in the preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Games," Mr Parsons told reporters. The Games have been shrouded in controversy as the city had an unprecedented runway to decide on a venue plan after being elected the host almost four years ago. But with several false starts and changed venue plans, the final 2032 infrastructure plan was finally unveiled more than 1300 days later in March. Mr Parsons was positive despite the debate around the Games, calling it the "opportunity of a lifetime" to change Australia and Queensland. "'I'm absolutely convinced that this is the place to be in 2032," he said. He praised the Queensland Liberal National government's 100-day review that delivered on the "long-term needs for infrastructure to benefit the people of Queensland" The state government's plan includes inner-city Victoria Park becoming the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Brisbane and Australia are already ahead of the curve in terms of accessibility but there's always more that can be done until venues are 100 per cent disability friendly, Mr Parsons said. "Now that venues are announced (we need) to make sure that we have the right planning in front of us," Mr Parsons told reporters. "... we just passed a very important milestone, and now it's how we work with the organising committee and the levels of government." But Mr Parsons was firm the blueprint for the new stadium and any other infrastructure must have accessibility in mind, first and foremost. He said any existing infrastructure must be checked over to ensure it is also accessible. Progress is expected to begin after the state government earlier in May introduced a bill to ensure 2032 Olympic sites would be exempt from planning laws as officials race to get the venues built in time. Not all plans are finalised as the state government seeks the $2.5 billion the federal government set aside for a now-scrapped 2032 project, Brisbane Arena, be reallocated to fund other Olympic venues. The private sector is instead expected to help foot the bill for the indoor stadium project now called Brisbane Live Arena, set to host Olympic swimming. But Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris isn't worried as it is unlikely it would be finished by the Games, nor would it be needed. "If it's ready before 2032, we're going to be looking very strongly at it as a venue. But we don't count on that," he told reporters. "So we don't need it. But if it's there, we'll use it." On the issue of funding, Mr Liveris said to give the federal government a chance to land on the right agreement, given the election was only several weeks ago.
Toronto Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Next IOC president Kirsty Coventry hands over the baton in planning for Brisbane 2032 Olympics
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Kirsty Coventry has completed a ceremonial baton change before she takes over as International Olympic Committee president next month, handing off oversight of preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Games during a three-day inspection visit to southeast Queensland state.
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Next IOC president Kirsty Coventry hands over the baton in planning for Brisbane 2032 Olympics
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Kirsty Coventry has completed a ceremonial baton change before she takes over as International Olympic Committee president next month, handing off oversight of preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Games during a three-day inspection visit to southeast Queensland state. Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski replaced Coventry as head of the IOC's coordination commission for the 2032 Summer Games after the Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe was elected to take over from Thomas Bach in the sporting organization's top job. All three were part of the IOC team that met in Brisbane and the Gold Coast for their first on-the-ground update on the planning overhaul from local organizers. 'I'm here to formally hand over the baton, or the Olympic flame ... boomerang!' Coventry said as she introduced Jaworski at an IOC coordination commission news conference Thursday at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. 'I hope that I'm leaving some good vibes.' Coventry made her Olympic competition debut at the Sydney 2000 Games and has family living in Australia. She said feels right at home after chairing the coordination commission since soon after the IOC awarded the 2032 Games to Brisbane in 2021 . 'I'm very excited about what Brisbane 2032 is going to do,' she said. 'Not just for the region, but for Australia and for the world.' It took more than 1,000 days and at least three major concept changes before a newly elected Queensland state government settled on a comprehensive venue plan in March. That includes a new 60,000-seat stadium and an aquatics center to be built in parklands close to downtown Brisbane, as well as proposals to share events with regions outside the capital. The surprising call to host rowing in a crocodile-inhabited river in Rockhampton on the central Queensland coast has attracted concern and criticism from the public and sports administrators. Veteran IOC Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said there's time for local organizers and sports federations to consider all options and collaborate on specifics for venues, and there's absolutely no need to panic with seven years until the Brisbane Games. 'No one else but the federation can say the field of play is ready,' he said, noting who had the final sign-off on sports venues as the planning for the Olympics evolve. 'The plan always changes, and generally they change for the better,' he said. 'The question is not so much whether the plan has changed — it has — but is it a better plan? The answer is yes.' Andrew Liveris, president of the local organizing committee , said venue construction is likely to begin later next year and he's confident the main building program will be complete at least a year out from the Games. Dubi said anyone doubting those predictions should look at the stage Sydney's construction program was at seven years out from the 2000 Games, and what a landmark Olympic and Paralympic Games it turned out to be in Australia's biggest city. He said the selection of the Victoria Park site for the main stadium and aquatic center in Brisbane 'is an incredible location' and followed the good example set by Paris 2024 organizers in staging Olympic events in close to inner-city landmarks. 'So if you ask me from an operational standpoint, it's absolutely doable,' Dubi said of Brisbane staging a memorable Olympics. 'You have also this opportunity to have this venue and this number of spectators, hence creating that precinct atmosphere downtown, and that will be something incredibly special.' ___ AP Olympics at
