Transport for London (TfL) employs 28,000 staff, and provides 418 million underground / overground rides to passengers every year. On March 26, 2025, TfL announced a London Transport ebike ban that will have an effect on the City’s micro-mobility industry. However, the transport utility has excluded foldable ebikes from its new regulation.
eBike Ban on London Transport Follows Comprehensive Review
The decision for the selective ban follows a comprehensive review, involving the London Fire Brigade and other partners. While the TfL does concede that “the majority of ebikes are safe”, there have been occasions where non-foldable ebikes did catch fire on their network.
The TfL study concludes that standard bicycles with ebike conversions pose a greater risk, than purpose-built mini-mobility transport. The new regulation will continue to apply until “improved product safety measures are in place for converted cycles, batteries and chargers.”
Non-folding ebikes are already not allowed on the utility’s buses and trams. However, passengers may take them on certain London ferries, and on a new under-river tunnel cycle shuttle service due to open soon.
The Important Role of Ebikes and Micro-Mobilty Devices
Transport for London acknowledges the important role that ebikes and micro-mobility devices play throughout the City. The Mayor of London has however expressed deep concern over several battery fires on the network, involving non-foldable bikes.
The local Guardian newspaper observes that foldable ebikes may have escaped the ban, because they are less obstructive in emergencies. Matters may have come to a head, the media suggests, after a train divers’ union suggested a fire on a platform “could have caused mass casualties”.
This new development serves as a further reminder to the battery industry, that our products must be safe for all users. The London transport ebike ban could cause ripples worldwide. Governments should stand together, to stamp out the surge of faulty rogue batteries.
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