E-bikes and e-scooters face Sydney train and metro ban
In the same week as a portable charging pack caught fire mid-air on a Virgin flight, signs began popping up at Sydney train stations advising of a new request to keep e-bikes off trains.
'Please don't bring e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards on board Sydney Trains services,' read the sign, which was shared online by cycling enthusiasts. 'Some lithium batteries can pose a fire risk.'
But they were erected prematurely. NSW and Victorian state governments wrote to the federal government this week asking for stronger laws around the importation of low-quality e-bikes and e-scooters.
Until that changes, Transport Minister John Graham said NSW was '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'.
If the government goes ahead with the ban, the posters will be used as a 'request' before the ban comes into effect.
In briefings with stakeholder groups this week, Transport for NSW officials said they were planning to start a ban from September 1.
E-bikes often contain lithium-ion batteries, which have become a major source of concern for fire authorities. They have regularly featured in home fires when e-bike and e-scooter chargers have caught fire overnight.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
9 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
WFH culture in Victoria ‘took hold from COVID lockdowns'
Victoria's long periods of COVID lockdowns created a culture of working from home that is not as entrenched in other parts of the country, Western Australia's premier said yesterday as other state leaders distanced themselves from Jacinta Allan's plans to legislate a right to hybrid work. Employers have criticised the Allan government's promise to enshrine remote working arrangements into Victorian law as productivity-sapping and anti-business, and all other mainland states on Tuesday said they had no plans to follow suit.
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Fugitive Transport manager takes delight at ‘dodgy contact' in WhatsApp exchange
Helmy, 38, is alleged to have pocketed $11.5 million in kickbacks – including bundles of cash, gold bullion and cryptocurrency – over 15 years from contractors, in return for them being awarded work. He failed to appear before the ICAC in May and police have a warrant out for his arrest. Loading ICAC counsel assisting Rob Ranken, SC, asked Harrison whether Helmy was referring to him in the WhatsApp messages, as well as whether it was obvious that the reason he was providing discounted concrete to the then-Transport official's friend was so that his company Kerway would get favourable treatment. In response, Harrison said he had no idea who the then-Transport for NSW procurement manager was referring to. 'You'll have to ask him,' Harrison responded. Harrison was also shown WhatsApp messages between Helmy and Taki in February 2024 in which Helmy said he was 'meeting bloody Wayne' and would be confirming 'the concrete things'. Asked whether it was the case that Helmy wanted to talk to him about squaring up matters about the concrete he had provided Taki, Harrison denied that was the case and said they were their WhatsApp messages. It has been alleged that Kerway Asphalting was awarded about $35 million of work by Transport for NSW between September 2019 and May this year as a result of corrupt dealings with Helmy. Rankin said it appeared that supplies of concrete to Taki had ended when ICAC's investigation had become public last year, which was a 'very odd coincidence'. Harrison rejected that assertion, and responded: 'Maybe he has finished his concreting.' Appearing as a witness late on Tuesday, former Transport for NSW senior project engineer David Liu confirmed that he received cash benefits in late 2021 from Jason Chellew, the founder of now-failed Grafton contractor Protection Barriers. Liu, who left Transport for NSW last April after about 17 years, said he came to receive the cash benefits after Helmy convinced him to become involved in the arrangement with contractors. He recalled a conversation during which Helmy joked that he should 'get on the bandwagon' and 'get in bed with contractors'. During a second conversation, Liu said Helmy got more serious and made suggestions about how he had 'this really safe way'. 'He said to me, 'you can inflate the rates'. I was shocked,' Liu said, clarifying that he was shocked that a Transport for NSW procurement officer could inflate contractors' rates given the oversight at the agency. 'He said, 'I just changed the rate' – clear as day.' Liu said Helmy wanted him to 'look the other way' if he wanted to add extra items to contractors' work, and sign off on it when an invoice was issued. Questioned about whether he thought what Helmy was suggesting at the time was improper, Liu said: 'I ask myself the question, 'why did you do this'?' Liu said the reasons he became involved were 'personal', explaining that he felt his career was 'going nowhere' after he had missed out on a promotion. The hearing continues.
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
Fugitive Transport manager takes delight at ‘dodgy contact' in WhatsApp exchange
Helmy, 38, is alleged to have pocketed $11.5 million in kickbacks – including bundles of cash, gold bullion and cryptocurrency – over 15 years from contractors, in return for them being awarded work. He failed to appear before the ICAC in May and police have a warrant out for his arrest. Loading ICAC counsel assisting Rob Ranken, SC, asked Harrison whether Helmy was referring to him in the WhatsApp messages, as well as whether it was obvious that the reason he was providing discounted concrete to the then-Transport official's friend was so that his company Kerway would get favourable treatment. In response, Harrison said he had no idea who the then-Transport for NSW procurement manager was referring to. 'You'll have to ask him,' Harrison responded. Harrison was also shown WhatsApp messages between Helmy and Taki in February 2024 in which Helmy said he was 'meeting bloody Wayne' and would be confirming 'the concrete things'. Asked whether it was the case that Helmy wanted to talk to him about squaring up matters about the concrete he had provided Taki, Harrison denied that was the case and said they were their WhatsApp messages. It has been alleged that Kerway Asphalting was awarded about $35 million of work by Transport for NSW between September 2019 and May this year as a result of corrupt dealings with Helmy. Rankin said it appeared that supplies of concrete to Taki had ended when ICAC's investigation had become public last year, which was a 'very odd coincidence'. Harrison rejected that assertion, and responded: 'Maybe he has finished his concreting.' Appearing as a witness late on Tuesday, former Transport for NSW senior project engineer David Liu confirmed that he received cash benefits in late 2021 from Jason Chellew, the founder of now-failed Grafton contractor Protection Barriers. Liu, who left Transport for NSW last April after about 17 years, said he came to receive the cash benefits after Helmy convinced him to become involved in the arrangement with contractors. He recalled a conversation during which Helmy joked that he should 'get on the bandwagon' and 'get in bed with contractors'. During a second conversation, Liu said Helmy got more serious and made suggestions about how he had 'this really safe way'. 'He said to me, 'you can inflate the rates'. I was shocked,' Liu said, clarifying that he was shocked that a Transport for NSW procurement officer could inflate contractors' rates given the oversight at the agency. 'He said, 'I just changed the rate' – clear as day.' Liu said Helmy wanted him to 'look the other way' if he wanted to add extra items to contractors' work, and sign off on it when an invoice was issued. Questioned about whether he thought what Helmy was suggesting at the time was improper, Liu said: 'I ask myself the question, 'why did you do this'?' Liu said the reasons he became involved were 'personal', explaining that he felt his career was 'going nowhere' after he had missed out on a promotion. The hearing continues.
