E-bikes, scooters could soon be banned from trains in NSW, Victoria

Millions of commuters could soon be banned from taking a popular way of getting around on trains, trams, and buses after concerns about safety.

The NSW government is “seriously considering” banning e-bikes on train and Metro services following a spate of battery-related fires, as it calls on the Albanese government to tighten import regulations.

Commuters took to social media on Wednesday to share images of a poster at a NSW train station, believed to have been put up in error, urging passengers not to bring e-bikes or e-scooters on board.

Transport Minister John Graham said the state government was mulling a temporary ban on e-mobility devices on trains, similar to one already enforced in London, amid pleas to the federal government.

“NSW along with Victoria is seeking the support of the Commonwealth to strengthen rules around e-bikes and e-scooters to prevent the importation of dangerous devices and reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires,” he said.

Two Australian states are mulling a ban of e-bikes on train services. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

“Due to poor manufacturing overseas and the absence of battery safety standards, there has been an increasing number of battery fires in both our states, including on a train in Melbourne and a train station in Sydney.

“In NSW, we are seriously considering options including a temporary ban on trains until we are satisfied that regulations are tight enough, with public safety as our highest priority.”

It is understood the ban would likely come into effect in September.

Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean warned the ban could send the wrong message to other industries and urged for carve-outs to be considered.

He said a range of business and private users could be impacted, including Sydney’s booming gig economy, with many delivery riders using the train network.

“There’s also a lot of small businesses now utilising e-mobility to get around and that includes multimodal transport on trains,” he said.

“That’s not a massive industry, unlike the delivery side of things, but it’s growing. It’s really putting a massive restriction on the growth of those small businesses.”

Transport Minister John Graham “seriously considering” a ban of e-bikes on train and Metro services. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Mr McLean warned people living with disabilities such as MS who were using e-bikes may be impacted, as well as social riders and people using e-bikes on their commute.

“We’d certainly be ensuring that there’s a framework in place to ensure that (the ban) was only temporary,” he said.

“We would try and make sure there’s some exemptions carved out for less abled and people who have actually got safe, reliable, non-fire hazard e-bikes.

“To ensure that we’re promoting best practice and promoting micro-mobility in general.”

Mr McLean also urged for better amenities at Sydney’s train stations to ensure e-bikes could be locked up.

The proposal comes after an e-bike battery-related fire on-board a train at union railway station in Melbourne's east triggered an urgent evacuation earlier this year.

Lithium-ion batteries, which power devices such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards, have also been blamed for a significant number of house fires in recent years amid a surge in popularity.

E-bikes have occupied a legal grey area in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The Victorian government is calling on the public to comment on its proposed train regulations, which would restrict e-mobility device use on trains, trams, and buses.

Under the proposed changes, e-bikes and e-scooters would no longer be allowed on trains and coaches, with only foldable e-scooters and e-bikes allowed on trains and buses.

A consultation on the plans is open until August 18.

Other battery-powered mobility devices such as e-skateboards and e-unicycles would be banned from trains, trams, buses and coaches, though traditional mobility scooters would still be permitted.

The Victorian government said the proposed changes were in response to the prevalence of poorly made or modified devices, including unregulated e-bike conversions, which posed a heightened fire risk.

E-bikes and other mobility devices have surged in popularity in recent years among commuters, but pose an evolving policy risk for government.

In May, the NSW government proposed allowing e-bikes on some streets and paths for the first time, with the devices having previously occupied a legal grey area.

About 1.3 million e-mobility devices, including e-bikes, are estimated to be is use in the state.