E-Bike ban on TFL network announced

An E-Bike ban on certain models have been banned on TFL networks.

Transcript

00:00Starting from the 31st of March, Transport for London will implement a ban on non-folding e-bikes

00:06across most of the network, including the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth Line and the DLR.

00:13This ban also extends to bikes that have been converted using kits. The decision comes after

00:18a thorough safety review of e-bikes on the network, particularly focusing on fire risks.

00:24TfL's analysis found that e-bikes modified with electric conversion kits are more likely to pose

00:31a hazard than purpose-built e-bikes. It's also challenging to tell the difference between

00:35converted and unmodified bikes, making it harder to regulate. There have already been incidents

00:42such as a fire that exploded on a Tube platform in North West London in February of this year,

00:47and another e-bike explosion on a platform at Sutton station last March. The move follows

00:53concerns from the Aslef Union, which earlier this month suggested it might ballot its members for

01:00strike action over e-bikes being allowed on the London Underground. With these safety risks in

01:05mind, TfL says the ban is necessary to protect both customers and staff. Transport for London has

01:12emphasised that this ban will remain in place until improved safety measures are introduced

01:18for converted e-bikes, batteries and chargers. Now, e-bikes have caused quite a stir in the

01:24capital recently, from safety issues like this one to parking issues as well. But what do Londoners

01:29think of e-bikes? How safe are they and how they are parked in the capital? I mean, you see e-bikes

01:36all over the place. I think they're incredibly useful. I think they will grow in popularity and

01:40they're a great way to get around a busy city. So I'm not against them at all, but I definitely

01:45think something needs to be done about where they're stationed because for, you know, people

01:51are not able-bodied. It's not great, right, if you have to kind of get past a massive mountain of

01:57e-bikes just to cross a road. So I think probably, you know, it's something that needs to be

02:02improved on and resolved. But I don't think e-bikes are going anywhere. I think they're a good thing.

02:08I mean, my stepson's used them. I get the point, but I think it can be a bit exaggerated, to be

02:13honest. You know, people go, you know, they're a little bit annoying, but it's not the end of

02:17the world. I've never used them. I have been curious. Yes, I wish they would because some

02:25people just throw them everywhere, blocking the pavements. So, yeah, if there's a stricter law

02:32or rule that they have to put it back in where they got it from or in a bike, I don't know,

02:39area. Yeah, that'd be great. And maybe penalize them. Yeah, a fine, not like a parking fine,

02:48but say an extra five, ten pounds on what they're paying. And that would make them,

02:54you know, be more courteous to those who are walking.