Pushing back: E-bike ban on NSW trains

Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean combines a 10km e-bike ride to Campbelltown station with a train trip to get to the Bicycle NSW HQ in Sydney’s CBD (Image: Bicycle NSW)

Any ban will impact bicycle riders of all ages and abilities

It was very frustrating that miscommunication within the Transport for NSW bureaucracy led to signage appearing prematurely in some train stations. The signs caused deep alarm among bicycle users.

And generated a flood of messages from Bicycle NSW Members, Bicycle User Groups and other bike riders explaining how the ban would affect them.

“Thank you for sharing your views about the proposal to ban e-bikes from trains,” says Peter McLean. “Bicycle NSW has compiled the unintended consequences and wider impacts that you have conveyed in emails and on social media. Please see the working document to get a sense of the depth and breadth of your concerns. Do let us know if we have forgotten anything!

“This draft list of impacts accompanied my letter to the Transport Minister John Graham. And we have been heard loud and clear. On receiving the letter, our request for a critical period of public consultation apparently ‘cascaded’ through the silos at Transport for NSW.

"Internal planning for a ban quickly changed tack.”

A sign spotted by a bicycle rider at Epping station (Image: Frankie Ian via Facebook)

Some of the stories we heard

It is clear that a ban would have implications for a wide range of users. From people with disabilities who rely on e-bikes for essential mobility, to those who love to travel out of the city to ride on NSW’s fantastic recreational routes. From workers who use bicycles to deliver food, to residents of outer suburbs who mix public transport with cycling to create efficient and affordable commutes.

For example, Tyler in Newcastle emailed to say:

“I am a disability pensioner who, due to the rising cost of living, can no longer afford to run a car. I saved up for a year and purchased an e-bike from a reputable brand, which allowed me to get rid of my car and save on transport costs.

“Due to a lack of vital cycling connections in Newcastle, I rely on a combination of e-bike and train as a means of running errands, visiting family, studying, going to healthcare appointments, and getting exercise.

“Newcastle also has zero secure bicycle storage facilities at train stations, and many of our train stations are isolated and unstaffed. This forces us to bring our bikes on the trains with us if we do not want them to be stolen.

"This e-bike ban completely disrupts my ability to function in daily life. It discriminates against me on the basis of income, regional status, and disability.”

Bernadette in Sydney wrote:

“I live in The Hills District and taking the Metro from Bella Vista to Barangaroo is a fantastic way to access the City's cycleways and be One-Less-Car.

“So much so, for my 60th birthday, I invested in a Tern S10 electric folding bike. Its smaller wheels and frame makes transport on the Metro so much easier. I even have the option to fold if it's really crowded.

“So, the news that Transport NSW wants to ban my gorgeous bike hits pretty hard.”

Bernadette has bought a folding e-bike to make it easy to combine bike riding with trips on Sydney Metro (Image: Bernadette Carpenter)

Tony from Sydney said:

“I’ve been riding bikes for 70 years and over the past 15 or so, I have guided rides around Sydney once or twice a week with groups of mainly retired folk who travel from all parts of Sydney to join.  While exploring Sydney by bike is great, the physical and mental health benefits are significant as revealed by many studies.

“This ‘sledge hammer’ approach will really adversely impact the two groups I ride with weekly.”

Paul from Lane Cove adds:

"It's impossible for a senior to load and unload an e-bike out of a car so restricting e-bikes on trains means you're taking a step back into the stone age for the elderly who are trying to keep fit and enjoy their retirement.”

Finally, Ellis from Marrickville wrote:

“I will soon be starting a new job in Sutherland. As the bike cages regularly fill up, and I don’t want to park my bike where it might be pinched, my intended commute was to ride to Wolli Creek station, take the express train down south and ride to my final destination.

"With this ban, I’ll have no choice but to drive, adding traffic for those who have no choice but to drive.

“This is a regressive and short-sighted decision.”

A blanket ban is disproportionate

Transport for NSW has responded to pressure from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), whose members are shaken by a recent fire in Melbourne and London.

Of course, lithium-ion batteries can overheat and catch fire – often with devastating consequences. But the issue lies entirely with illegal e-devices. Thermal runaway events are unknown in compliant bikes from reputable brands.

The proposed ban will unfairly penalise people with safe and compliant e-bikes.

Bicycle NSW has been advocating relentlessly over the last two years for the Australian Government to control the importation of poor quality, over-powered e-bikes and scooters. Sadly, regulators have dragged their heels on restricting supply. Dangerous personal mobility devices continue to be freely sold by retailers.

The calls for action grow louder

Just last week, the transport ministers from both New South Wales and Victoria made a joint representation to the federal minister responsible for consumer affairs and product safety to demand the restoration of import permits for e-devices.

Alongside this, the peak bicycle advocacy organisations, including Bicycle NSW, wrote a joint letter to the Australian Government, asking for strict standards to be applied to all e-bikes imported into Australia, and nation consistency in the e-bike definition.

“There are many things that could be done to ensure that only legal devices are carried on trains,” said Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. “And it starts at the ports.

“This must be part of a suite of measures that improve the quality of e-bikes and fix the problems that have plagued the growth of e-mobility. We urge governments to grab this opportunity to address many overlapping issues.

“Our next steps will focus on recommendations for simple and workable solutions that draw a clear line between safe and unsafe devices – for both consumers and Transport staff.”

The public consultation has yet not begun

Transport for NSW is still considering the most appropriate form of engagement. We will update all our Members and friends as soon as we know when and where to send your feedback.

“In the meantime, if bicycle riders want to convey their concerns to local MPs then that would be very helpful,” said Peter McLean.

What else you can do

Bicycle NSW has a seat at the table of all levels of government. Our small team is dedicated to making NSW better for bike riding. We have your back but we need your assistance!

Become a Member today and support our advocacy for better policy and regulation for e-mobility.

Our Members also ride easy, covered by our comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member-only benefits.

If you are not ready to join the Bicycle NSW family, then we would love you to make a donation to the Australian Bicycle Advocacy Fund.