For those of you who want to take your e-Bike on Transport for London services, you’re in for a rude awakening, as TfL has banned them from today, 31st March.
No e-Bikes are allowed on the Underground, as well as other transport modes.
The ban includes all non-folding e-bikes, including standard cycles that have been converted to e-bikes using conversion kits. They will not be permitted to travel on most TfL services including on the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR.
This is to ensure the safety of customers and staff. This comes after a review with the London Fire Brigade and other partners to carry out a comprehensive review of the safety of e-bikes and their suitability for carriage on the TfL transport network.
TfL acknowledges that whilst the majority of e-bikes are safe, there have been a small number of incidents where non-foldable e-bikes have caught fire on the transport system in London. In addition, cycles that have been adapted using electronic conversion kits pose a greater fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes, although they note that it can be hard to differentiate between modified and un-modified e-bikes.
With those factors, until improved product safety measures are in place for converted cycles, batteries and chargers, a ban is necessary for all non-folded e-bikes.
To summarise the ban:
- Non-folding e-bikes will be banned on Tube (Underground), Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR from the 31st of March
- Non-folding e-bikes are not permitted on buses or trams.
- No e-bikes are permitted on the IFS Cloud Cable Car, and this will remain the position.
- Folding e-bikes are allowed
- Due to the particular safety arrangements and operational environments of these services, non-foldable e-bikes will continue to be permitted on the Woolwich Ferry, river services (subject to operator), coach services (subject to operator), and on the Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttle Service when it opens on 7 April.
The full policy is as https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycles-on-public-transport.
In Quotes
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“The safety of Londoners is my top priority and, while most e-bikes are safe, there have been a small number of incidents where non-foldable e-bikes have caught fire on the transport system, which have caused me great concern.
“This is why, following a comprehensive review of the safety of e-bikes, TfL is banning all non-folding e-bikes on tube and rail services. I have asked TfL to continue to work with Government and partners to improve e-bike safety as we build a safer London for everyone.”
Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, said:
“Our priority is always the safety of our customers and colleagues. We have been working closely with the London Fire Brigade on a review of the safety risks associated with e-bikes on our network and following this review, we will be putting this safety ban in place from 31 March 2025. Customers with non-foldable e-bikes will not be permitted to use our tube and rail services. This safety ban will play a vital role in keeping our transport system safe for everyone, and we continue to work with partners in government and beyond to improve e-bike safety.”
London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner for Prevention, Protection & Policy, Charlie Pugsley, said:
”We welcome this move by Transport for London following their detailed safety review, as it acknowledges the risks that we know e-bike batteries can pose.
“While we recognise the sustainable benefits e-bikes, and micromobility generally, bring to our city, the reality is that across London we have been seeing an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day, on average, and we have particular concern about the risk posed by conversion kits or modified e-bikes. When these fires occur, they can be sudden, incredibly ferocious and produce smoke that is extremely toxic.
“As part of London Fire Brigade’s #ChargeSafe campaign, we have been raising awareness about the fire risks and educating Londoners on how they can store and charge their e-bikes safely. We are also working closely with the Government to improve the regulation around e-bikes and e-scooters. We hope this will reduce the risk of consumers being exposed to products like batteries and chargers that are more likely to malfunction because of the way they have been built, especially if they have been bought from an online marketplace or auction site where products may not meet safety standards.”
Following on from the eScooter ban
The move from Transport for London follows the e-Scooter ban that took place in December 2021, which took place for similar reasons – fire risks (with both folding and non-folding e-scooters banned from the network).
Other train companies have followed, banning e-scooters too
With two major incidents on the TfL network with e-bikes catching fire, it seems it is more than enough for the network to take action, with the agency able to enforce this through its enforcement officers, with them allow those who do not comply to refuse entry, direct people to leave or face a fine of up to £1000.
Mobility is important – but in this case, it is balanced against safety for all the passengers who use services.
And in this case, safety has won out.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond. Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, in-depth coverage, unique research, as well as the humour and madness I only know how to deliver.
Our Social Media pool has expanded. You can find us across most networks as @economybeyond on BlueSky, Threads, Mastodon and Instagram!
Also, remember that we are part of the BoardingArea community, bringing you the latest frequent flyer news from around the world.
Leave a Reply