Some e-bikes to be banned on most TfL services

Non-folding e-bikes will be banned from 31 March on most of the Transport for London (TfL) network, it has announced.

The operator said customers travelling with these kinds of e-bikes - including ones converted to e-bikes using kits - will not be permitted to travel on most services such as the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR.

It comes after the Aslef union said earlier this month it was considering balloting members for strike action over e-bikes being allowed on the London Underground.

TfL said it had made the decision to "ensure the safety of customers and staff" and added it had carried out a review of safety of e-bikes on the network.

TfL drew on its own analysis which it said suggested bikes adapted using electronic conversion kits posed a greater fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes, although it pointed it could be hard to differentiate between modified and unmodified e-bikes.

It said it was instigating the ban "until improved product safety measures are in place for converted cycles, batteries and chargers".

It comes after a small number of e-bike fires on the transport network, including one which exploded and caught fire on a Tube station platform in north-west London in February.

Last March an e-bike also exploded and burst into flames on a platform at Sutton railway station.

The operator said it "will keep these changes under review, pending any future changes to legislation by the government regarding e-bike safety standards".

Existing rules around non-folding bikes and e-bikes will remain in place, including rules stipulating that no e-bikes are permitted on the IFS Cloud Cable Car and that no non-folding bikes are allowed on buses or trams.

TfL stressed non-foldable e-bikes would continue to be permitted on the Silvertown Cycle Shuttle Service, Woolwich Ferry, river services depending on the operator and coach services depending on the operator.

Dan Parsons, from London Bridge e-bike shop Fully Charged, said the problem is differentiating between the good and the bad.

"By banning all, it muddies the waters, and the UK population doesn't necessarily know the difference between good and bad, and just assumes that all [e-bikes] are bad.

"In an environment when we need to increase the amount of green transportation, we're throttling that."

Lilli Matson, TfL's chief safety, health and environment officer, said: "We have been working closely with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) on a review of the safety risks associated with e-bikes on our network.

"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."

Charlie Pugsley, LFB's deputy commissioner for prevention, protection and policy, said the brigade "welcomes this move... 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," he explained.

Mayor of London Sir 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.

"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."

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