Which e-bikes are outlawed and which aren’t under new Sydney ban

2 weeks ago 5

NSW will become the first Australian state to outlaw modified e-bikes on public trains due to concerns over lithium battery fire safety risks.

However, the new laws will not extend to all e-bikes amid fears it could discourage uptake of public transport.

Saam Tanghavi raised concerns over potential impacts of a blanket ban.

Riders of bikes modified with motors will face fines of between $400 to $1100 as part of new laws to come into effect in November on all Sydney trains, NSW Trainlink and Metro line services.

The ban will cover all bikes modified with motors which assessments by Transport for NSW found presented a heightened risk of electrical failure due to dodgy installations, inadequate wiring and other incompatible or poor-quality components.

Those concerns have been fuelled by a string of recent e-bike fires including incidents at Liverpool station in August and Blacktown station in April.

The ban will not extend to all types of e-bikes including those typically bought in shops, shared e-bikes or mobility devices such as electric wheelchairs.

A photo of the aftermath of the e-bike fire at Blacktown station.

This follows warnings by public transport advocates that a blanket ban on all motor-powered bicycles could affect public transport usage, resulting in more cars on congested road networks.

The ban will not extend to buses, ferries or the light rail network after assessments by Transport for NSW determined that train and Metro services presented a greater risk of lithium e-bike fires due tunnelled and underground sections of the networks which could hamper the ability to quickly evacuate passengers in the event of a fire emergency.

NSW Transport Minister John Graham said the new laws have been aimed at striking a balance.

“The overwhelming message from the consultation was that banning all e-bikes from trains would go too far but taking out the highest risk e-bikes is a sensible and balanced step,” he said.

“E-bikes are becoming more popular and playing an increasing role in our transport network and our aim is to allow people to enjoy their advantages while keeping everyone safe.

E-bikes have proliferated in NSW in recent years.

“We will watch this space very closely and take further action if necessary.”

The impending ban comes as new figures show there are 1.3 million e-bikes and e-scooters registered in NSW.

Public consultation on the proposed ban this year had attracted almost 3000 submissions to the NSW Government.

The feedback had included concerns that a blanket-ban could disproportionately affect food delivery drivers and low-wage couriers who relied on public train services to complete sections of their journeys.

Bicycle NSW chief executive Peter McLean said a ban focused on bikes fitted with modified batteries – as opposed to all e-bikes – would recognise the greater risk of “dodgy” DIY-made devices.

“Not only are they illegal, but they’re really quite unsafe particularly if a fire was to break out in an enclosed space like a train carriage,” he said.

The ban comes as other Australian jurisdictions including Victoria weighing up implanting similar bans on modified e-bikes.

In NSW, the ban will not extend to all sections of the public transport network including train station concourses, lifts, escalators or bike storage facilities outside of fare gates. Riders passing through community access gates will not be affected.

The ban will not require specific laws but instead involve regulatory change to the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017.

So far this year, Fire and Rescue NSW have responded to 77 e-bike related lithium-ion battery fires.

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