All non-folding e-bikes will be banned on parts of the capital’s transport network including the London Underground, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.
TfL will become the first transport operator in the UK to enforce a ban on its services, which will come into effect on 31 March.
All non-folding e-bikes, including standard cycles which have been converted to e-bikes using conversion kits, will no longer be permitted to travel on most TfL services, including on the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR.
The announcement comes after a “small number of incidents” where non-foldable e-bikes have caught fire on the transport system in London.
One e-bike caught fire on a Tube station platform at Rayners Lane in north-west London in February, which led to the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines being suspended. The fire was put out within 30 minutes by the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
Transport union Aslef, the train drivers’ union, called for a ban on e-bikes on the Underground after the blaze, threatening to strike over the matter.
The operator said it has been working closely with LFB 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”.
It added that cycles adapted with electronic conversion kits pose a greater fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes, but it could be hard to differentiate between modified and un-modified e-bikes.
“Until improved product safety measures are in place for converted cycles, batteries and chargers, a ban is necessary for all non-folded e-bikes. TfL and LFB continue to work with the government to seek improved product safety for electronic cycles.
“TfL is not aware of any reports of foldable e-bike fires in London, and there are fewer opportunities for foldable cycles to be converted into e-bikes using conversion kits, due to their specific shape, size and mechanical constraints.”
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expressed his concern over the number of incidents where non-foldable e-bikes had caught fire.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
TfL’s chief safety, health and environment officer, Lilli Matson, said that the priority remained the safety of customers and colleagues, adding: “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.”
LFB deputy commissioner for prevention, protection and policy, Charlie Pugsley, said the move was welcomed by the service due to the risk that e-bike batteries can pose.
He said: “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.”
Non-folding bikes are currently not permitted on buses and trams, and e-bikes generally are not permitted on the IFS Cloud Cable Car. Non-foldable e-bikes will continue to be permitted on the Woolwich Ferry, river services, coach services and on the Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttle Service when it opens on 7 April.
TfL clarified that these changes were under review, pending future measures to improve product safety by the government, due to the importance of e-bikes and micro-mobility in the city.
