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Modified electric bicycles won’t be allowed on Victorian trains – including regional rail services – from December 21.
The ban, which is aimed at reducing the risk of fires on public transport caused by the vehicles’ lithium-ion batteries, was announced by the state government on Saturday morning.
An e-bike caught fire on a Melbourne train in March.
A government spokesperson said the ban would not apply to “compliant, factory-built e-bikes and e-scooters”.
However, as part of a separate change effective from Sunday, December 21, riders of all e-bikes and scooters will be banned from charging or turning on their vehicles while on trains, trams or buses and in ticketed areas.
Those caught with modified e-bikes on trains after December 21 will face fines of $508 ($101 for children), with a maximum court penalty of more than $2000.
E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular.Credit: Elke Meitzel
The Age this year reported Fire Rescue Victoria was responding to rechargeable lithium-ion battery fires at almost one a day.
The fires have led to high-profile disruptions to a train, a plane, rubbish trucks and a factory in 2025.
Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to combusting due to a process called “thermal runaway”: When the battery’s temperature increases, chemical reactions occur much more quickly, which lead to the lithium-ion generating more heat much faster than it can be dissipated.
The government had settled on a ban “following extensive consultation”, which closed in August, the spokesperson said. “The feedback found Victorians support a targeted approach to the ban, focusing on the devices most at risk of causing fires,” the spokesperson said.
“Converted e-bikes are considered higher risk due to the use of poor-quality components, larger batteries and DIY installations.”
Advocacy body the Bicycle Network came out against banning all e-bikes and scooters on public transport during the consultation period, and argued it would lead to “major disruption to the day-to-day lives of many Australians”.
“E-bikes have rapidly increased in popularity in recent years and now comprise a fundamental part of our transport mix,” the group said in July.
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Victoria’s move follows that of NSW, which banned modified vehicles on its trains in November, also over fire concerns. The two states have been pushing for national standards for these vehicles.
“We understand the Commonwealth have made a commitment to reinstate the european standard for e-bikes in Australia,” the Victorian government spokesperson said on Saturday.
“We urge the Commonwealth to accelerate this work so that state and territories have a recognisable and consistent standard to adopt in our own regulations.”
Under the changes, children’s bikes will be allowed on buses and trams. People will also no longer be fined for putting their feet on transport furniture, unless they damage it.
People will also be required to make wheelchair areas on public transport available without being requested. This masthead is seeking further clarification on this point.
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