All non-folding e-bikes shall be banned on elements of London’s transport community from the top of the month to make sure the safety of shoppers and employees, Transport for London has introduced.
TfL will develop into the primary transport operator within the UK to implement a ban on its companies, which is able to come into impact on 31 March.
All non-folding e-bikes, together with normal cycles which were transformed to e-bikes utilizing conversion kits, will not be permitted to journey on most TfL companies, together with on the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR.
The announcement comes after a “small variety of incidents” the place non-foldable e-bikes have caught fireplace on the transport system in London.
One e-bike caught fireplace on a Tube station platform at Rayners Lane in north-west London again in February, which led to the Metropolitan and Piccadilly traces being suspended. The hearth was put out inside half-hour by London Fireplace Brigade.
Transport union Aslef, the practice 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 stated it has been working carefully with the London Fireplace Brigade and different companions to hold out a “complete assessment of the protection of e-bikes and their suitability for carriage on the TfL transport community.”
They added that cycles tailored with digital conversion kits pose a better fireplace threat than purpose-built e-bikes, but it surely may very well be onerous to distinguish between modified and un-modified e-bikes.
“Till improved product security measures are in place for transformed cycles, batteries and chargers, a ban is important for all non-folded e-bikes. TfL and LFB proceed to work with Authorities to hunt improved product security for digital cycles.
“TfL is just not conscious of any reviews of foldable e-bike fires in London, and there are fewer alternatives for foldable cycles to be transformed into e-bikes utilizing conversion kits, because of their particular form, measurement and mechanical constraints.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expressed his concern over the variety of incidents the place non-foldable e-bikes had caught fireplace.
“The protection of Londoners is my high precedence and, whereas most e-bikes are secure, there have been a small variety of incidents the place non-foldable e-bikes have caught fireplace on the transport system, which have precipitated me nice concern.
“That is why, following a complete assessment of the protection of e-bikes, TfL is banning all non-folding e-bikes on tube and rail companies. I’ve requested TfL to proceed to work with Authorities and companions to enhance e-bike security as we construct a safer London for everybody.”
Non-folding bikes are at present not permitted on buses and trams, nor are e-bikes permitted on the IFS Cloud Cable Automotive. Non-foldable e-bikes will proceed to be permitted on the Woolwich Ferry, river companies (topic to operator), coach companies (topic to operator), and on the Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttle Service when it opens on 7 April.
TfL clarified that these modifications have been below assessment, pending future measures to enhance product security by the Authorities, as a result of significance of e-bikes and micro-mobility within the metropolis.
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