TfL bans non-folding e-bikes on Tube, rail services

Transport for London (TfL) has announced a ban on non-folding e-bikes from its services, including the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line, and DLR, effective March 31, 2025. The decision follows safety concerns after multiple incidents of e-bike fires, including a significant fire at Rayners Lane station. The ban, which also includes bicycles converted to e-bikes, was influenced by pressure from the Aslef union, which threatened strike action unless the ban was implemented. TfL has collaborated with the London Fire Brigade to assess the risks associated with e-bikes and determined that modified e-bikes pose a greater fire risk. While some view the ban as a necessary safety measure, others, including cycling advocates, have called it a setback for sustainable transport in London. Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized that while most e-bikes are safe, the incidents of fire have raised serious concerns about public safety.