E-scooters and E-unicycles are to be banned across the whole TFL network from Monday (December 13), due to the risk of battery fires breaking out.
Anyone carrying an E-scooter, even folded up, on a TFL service could now face a fine of up to £1000. This applies to the tube, buses, DLR and London Overground services.
TFL and fire services said these incidents can occur when defective lithium-ion batteries ruptured and catch fire, which carries a great risk of spreading toxic smoke across confined spaces.
Two recent incidents – one caused by an E-unicycle on the Jubilee line at Stanmore, and an evacuation caused by an E-scooter on the District line at Parson’s Green – have prompted new measures.
On December 9, TFL said that passengers carrying e-scooters “will not be permitted to enter any premises on TfL’s network or travel on any of its services”.
E-scooters have been available to rent in London as part of a trial since June 2021.
The ban, however, will not include mobility scooters or foldable e-bikes, as TfL said these were mostly subject to better manufacturing standards and less of a fire risk.
Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety officer, said: “Our primary concern is always for the safety of our customers and staff. We have been extremely worried by the recent incidents on our public transport services, which involved intense fires and considerable smoke and damage.
“We have worked with London fire brigade to determine how we should deal with these devices and, following that review, we have decided to ban them.”