E-bikes banned on London public transport after unsafe mods cause fires

All full-size electric bikes are now banned on most of London’s public transport. | Image: Mike Kemp / In Pictures via Getty Images

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that all non-folding e-bikes will be banned from the majority of London’s public transport network. The ban has been driven by the fire risk from regular bikes converted into e-bikes using DIY kits, but extends to purpose-built e-bikes too in the name of easier enforcement.

The new ban comes into effect on March 31st, and applies to the London Underground, Overground, Elizabeth Line, and DLR. The only e-bikes that will be permitted on those services are folding e-bikes, which TfL says are less likely to have been converted into e-bikes using mod kits. That exemption will be a boon for Brompton and Gocycle, two London-based companies that focus on foldable models.

TfL says that “cycles that have been adapted using electronic conversion kits pose a greater fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes,” but that “it can be hard to differentiate” modified bikes from other models. The organization adds that the ban is necessary “until improved product safety measures are in place” for conversion kits, batteries, and chargers.

The ban follows several fires on public transport linked to e-bikes, including one that burst into flames on the platform at west London’s Rayners Lane station. Following that incident, the train drivers’ union ASLEF threatened a strike if safety measures weren’t implemented, which was backed by the separate RMT and TSSA transport unions. E-scooters have been banned across the network since 2021.

“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,” London Fire Brigade deputy commissioner Charlie Pugsley says. “When these fires occur, they can be sudden, incredibly ferocious and produce smoke that is extremely toxic.”

Full-size bikes — electronic or otherwise — are already not permitted on London’s bus and tram services, and are only allowed on certain parts of the Underground network at certain times, with a blanket ban during rush hour. Once the electric bike ban comes into effect, non-folding e-bikes will only be permitted on the Woolwich Ferry, certain river and coach services, and the dedicated Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttle, which opens on April 7th.

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