Common item facing train ban

Perth Now

3 days ago

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. Two Australian states are mulling a ban of e-bikes on train services. NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia
'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.
'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.' Transport Minister John Graham 'seriously considering' a ban of e-bikes on train and Metro services. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia
It is understood the ban would likely come into effect in September.
It 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.
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. E-bikes have occupied a legal grey area in NSW. NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia
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.