Ban on e-bikes on trains a response over the top, cycling advocates say
The Department of Transport and Planning last month released draft regulations to ban electric bikes and scooters from passenger trains and V/Line coaches in response to the risk of lithium-ion battery fires.
An e-bike caught fire on a Metro train at Union station, in Melbourne's east, in March and hundreds of house fires have been blamed on malfunctioning e-bike and e-scooter batteries.
London banned e-bikes from trains in March, except for foldable models, 'until improved product safety measures are in place for converted cycles, batteries and chargers'.
But critics say Victoria's blanket ban, which is set to start on September 30, is disproportionate to the unlikely event of a fire.
Narelle Beurle, who runs the cycling club Ladies Back On Your Bike, which has close to 180 members and organises group rides for women of all ages and cycling abilities, feared the ban would deter people from cycling.
About 20 per cent of the group's members use electric pedal-assist bicycles and many begin or end their rides with a train journey either around Melbourne or to regional Victoria on V/Line.
'A lot of our ladies have purchased e-bikes to enable them to keep getting on the rides and keeping that social connection with people,' said Beurle, who is currently using an e-bike because a back injury makes it too difficult to use a regular bicycle.
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