“A huge setback for active travel”: Non-foldable e-bikes to be banned from most Transport for London services to “ensure safety of customers and staff”

Non-foldable e-bikes are set to be banned across most of London’s transport networks operated by Transport for London (TfL) services from 31 March to “ensure the safety of customers and staff”, the city’s local government body has announced today.

The ban is set to be enforced with the help of TfL’s 450 uniformed officers deployed across the capital’s public transport network. Cyclists who do not comply can be refused entry, asked to leave, or slapped with a fine of up to £1,000.

The news comes after an e-bike exploded and caught fire at Rayners Lane station platform last month, and another burst into flames on a platform at Sutton railway station last March.

Following last month’s incident, Aslef, the train drivers’ union, had threatened strike action unless TfL banned e-bikes from the London Underground, with the RMT and the TSSA also calling for similar bans.

TfL said that it has “worked closely with the London Fire Brigade and other partners to carry out a comprehensive review of the safety of e-bikes and their suitability for carriage on the TfL transport network”.

“While the majority of e-bikes are safe, there have been a small number of incidents where non-foldable e-bikes have caught fire on the transport system in London,” TfL said. “To ensure the safety of the network for customers and staff, customers in possession of non-foldable e-bikes will not be permitted to travel on most TfL services, including on the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR.

“The ban includes all non-folding e-bikes, including standard cycles that have been converted to e-bikes using conversion kits.”

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Rayners Lane e-bike fire (credit: Twitter video (Andy Calvert))

According to TfL’s analysis, adapted bikes 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”.

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The operator, which becomes the first in the UK to impose such a ban, added it recognises the “important role of e-bikes” for Londoners and “will keep these changes under review, pending any future measures to improve product safety by the Government regarding e-bike safety standards”.

Important update on e-bikes on TFL services: 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 has caused me great concern. (1/3)

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@london.gov.uk) 26 March 2025 at 15:30

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, 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.

“This is why, following a comprehensive review of the safety of e-bikes, TfL is banning all non-folding e-bikes on tube and rail services. 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.”

BBC e-bike Panorama - wheelie (credit: road.cc)

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Commenting on the news, James Metcalfe, co-founder of Volt Bikes said: “While we’re pleased this isn’t an outright ban of all e-bikes, the blanket ban of all non-folded e-bikes in the TfL network is a huge setback for active and sustainable transport in London. Many ordinary commuters who cycle to and from their tube/train stations will now be unable to make their usual journeys. Instead of restricting access for most users who own safe, legal e-bikes, the emphasis should be placed on education and enforcement, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

“The heart of the issue isn’t that folding e-bikes are safer, it’s that manufacturers, like us at Volt, uphold strict quality standards and only use cells from trusted brands like Panasonic, but the same can’t always be said for the e-bikes, batteries, and conversion kits being bought online.”

He added that Volt's folding e-bikes use the same batteries as its non-folding models, and there was a need to make the public more aware of the potential dangers associated with buying from non-reputable brands. 

“If TfL and the government are serious about promoting sustainable transport, then we need policies that encourage cycling by connecting it with public transport, rather than deterring people from it,” he concluded.

MiRider 2021 - folded (credit: Richard Peace)

Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, said: "Our priority is always the safety of our customers and colleagues. We have been working closely with the London Fire Brigade on a review of the safety risks associated with e-bikes on our network and following this review, we will be putting this safety ban in place from 31 March 2025.

“Customers with non-foldable e-bikes will not be permitted to use our tube and rail services. 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.”

> Bicycle Association formally complains to BBC over Adrian Chiles’ e-bike Panorama “misrepresentation”

Charlie Pugsley, London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner for Prevention, Protection & Policy, said: “We welcome this move by Transport for London following their detailed safety review, 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. When these fires occur, they can be sudden, incredibly ferocious and produce smoke that is extremely toxic.”

Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, also responded to the news, saying that the e-bike industry could be set for future blanket restrictions if “substandard versions of e-bikes, their batteries, chargers and conversion kits coming onto the market” are not regulated.

She said: “Whilst reputable manufacturers produce high quality products that meet safety standards, more needs to be done to address the risk posed by substandard versions of these devices that are often linked to serious incidents.

“It’s vital the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill tackles this issue head on and mandates third-party certification for these products, to ensure only safe batteries and e-bikes can be sold on the UK market. Converted e-bikes can also pose a risk if they are made up of substandard or incompatible components, and converted incorrectly, which is why we are also calling for new safety standards to be introduced for these kits, to better tackle the issue.

“Our proposals will better protect consumers, protect the reputable sector who already make safe devices, and help to weed out bad operators producing and selling dangerous substandard batteries.”   

road.cc has asked TfL to comment on the finer points of why it deems folding e-bikes safer than non-folding bikes, and how enforcement officers will be trained to differentiate between more discreet models of electric bike and regular pedal assist bikes.