Forget light rail, electric bicycles could be just watt Canberra needs to solve its transport problems

If you live on the outer regions of the national capital then cycling to work or into town may be a tall order.

Have you considered an electric bike for your daily commute?

To encourage people to use two wheels rather than four, the Federal Government has announced changes to the regulations for electric bikes.

In fact they'll be more powerful.

What's an electric bike? Basically a normal bicycle that has an added electric motor to give the rider a helping hand.

John Armstrong is the Executive Officer of Pedal Power ACT.

"You plug the bike in, recharge the battery and that allows it to be maintained" he told Louise Maher on Drive.

Pedal Power is an advocate of pedal activated electric bikes, vehicles that require some effort from the rider.

"That's an important point [that] you can't just sit on a bike and like a motorbike and turn the throttle.

"This is really good, it helps people who think they might be less able to hop on the bike...and really enjoy the buzz of cycling".

The Federal Government wants to double the amount of people using bikes by 2016.

This policy aims to make electric bikes more attractive by increasing the allowable power output from 200 to 250 watts.

The helping hand just got more helpful!

The rider is required to pedal to activate the motor - stop pedaling and the motor stops and you slow down - so exercise is still part of the process.

For those worried about safety, the bikes will be limited to 25km/h and frame strength and braking performance will fall under national design regulations.

The National Capital Authority has already adopted this alternate method of transport for their staff.

Andrew Smith is the Chief Planner for the NCA and is an avid user of the electric bike.

"When the power's there, they're absolutely fantastic, it's a really easy way to get around...but if you're trying to go up a hill and you run out of power you know about it pretty quick smart!"

More details can be found on the website of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.