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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Some e-bikes to be banned on most TfL services | Some e-bikes to be banned on most TfL services |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Customers travelling with non-foldable e-bikes - including converted ones - will not be permitted to travel on most services from 31 March | Customers travelling with non-foldable e-bikes - including converted ones - will not be permitted to travel on most services from 31 March |
| Non-folding e-bikes will be banned from 31 March on most of the Transport for London (TfL) network, it has announced. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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 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. | 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. | Last March an e-bike also exploded and burst into flames on a platform at Sutton railway station. |
| An e-bike fire suspended trains at Rayners Lane station last month | An e-bike fire suspended trains at Rayners Lane station last month |
| The operator said it "will keep these changes under review, pending any future changes to legislation by the government regarding e-bike safety standards". | 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. | 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. | 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." | |
| 'Build a safer London' | 'Build a safer London' |
| 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. | 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." | "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". | 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. | "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. | 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." | "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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