Transport for London (TfL) has announced a near-total ban of e-bikes on the Tube.
The ban comes into place on 31 March 2025. After that date, only foldable e-bikes will be permitted on Tube trains, the Elizabeth line, Overground trains and the DLR.
The move is in response to safety fears. Several non-foldable bikes have caught fire on the transport network in recent years, most notably at Rayners Lane in February. A fire also occurred at Sutton station in 2024. Transport unions have led the call to see the vehicles banned from trains, which has now been heeded by TfL.
Until this new rule, e-bikes (along with regular bikes) were allowed on the Tube outside of busy commuter periods. e-Scooters and e-Unicycles have been banned on the Tube for several years.
Deputy Commissioner of London Fire Brigade Charlie Pugsley put the ban into context: "While we recognise the sustainable benefits e-bikes... 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."
Why are folding e-bikes still allowed on the Tube?
As the Commissioner mentions, the riskiest bikes are those that have been converted from standard cycles using kits. According to TfL, "it can be hard to differentiate between modified and un-modified e-bikes," hence the blanket ban. Folding e-bikes, by contrast, are almost always unmodified, purpose designed vehicles, and thereby pose less risk. TfL is not aware of any fires caused by folding e-bikes.
What transport still permits e-bikes?
While the Tube is now a no-go zone, non-folding e-bikes are still permitted on the Woolwich Ferry, as well as some coach and river services. The Silvertown Tunnel's bike shuttle will also carry e-bikes when it opens in April.
