All non-folding e-bikes will be banned on parts of London’s transport network from the end of the month to ensure the safety of customers and staff, Transport for London 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 that 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 back in February, which led to the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines being suspended. The fire was put out within 30 minutes by London Fire Brigade.
Transport union Aslef, the train drivers’ union, called for a ban to e-bikes on the Underground after the blaze on Rayners Lane, threatening to strike over the matter.
The operator said it has been working closely 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.”
They 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 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.
Non-folding bikes are currently not permitted on buses and trams, nor are e-bikes permitted on the IFS Cloud Cable Car. 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.
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.
“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.”
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