Network Rail has removed a sign suggesting e-bikes are banned on all company property, including 20 of the biggest train stations in the UK, after causing much criticism online.
The sign was first spotted online by LNER employee James Gower, who posted a photo of the sign at Leeds railway station on LinkedIn yesterday. Described as a “Security Note for Cyclists”, the sign informed passengers that “E-scooters and e-bikes ARE NOT permitted on Network Rail property” and apologising for the inconvenience.
“I cannot find any reference to this from any other source or media,” Gower wrote. “[This] leads me to wonder whether this is actually Network Rail policy, or one local manager deciding. Banning from all property would cover all train services and stations in the country, so surely such a policy change would be publicised even slightly.”
Gower added that he had submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out more about the policy and said the sign seemed “incompatible” with the electric charging points and storage due to be installed at the station. He was also angered by the ramifications such a ban would have on the station’s accessibility.
“Banning e-bikes is also discriminatory against many disabled people who rely on e-bikes for transport. My wife is unable to drive on medical grounds, so her e-bike is her mobility and independence. Preventing access to train services removes this from her.”
In the comments of Gower’s post, there was speculation that the sign’s installation was due to the confusion among the public between legal e-bikes and illegal bikes that may be illegally modified or non-compliant with the government’s EAPC standards. However, these illegal bikes are already banned from train stations.
When approached by road.cc for comment, Network Rail said the sign had been removed and was intended to address storage issues. A spokesperson said, “The signage recently installed at Leeds station was intended to address local issues around the storage of e-bikes and e-scooters inside the station. The signs have now been removed and did not reflect a nationwide ban on passengers bringing e-bikes through Network Rail stations.
“Customers can continue to pass through Leeds station with e-bikes when boarding or leaving trains, where this is permitted by their train operator.
“For fire safety reasons, e-bikes and e-scooters should not be stored or charged inside station buildings and should only be kept in outdoor facilities, at least three metres away from the building.”
The U-turn is not the only e-bike railway ban cycling campaigners are dealing with. Earlier today, Cycling UK announced a group ride to the offices of Merseyrail after the railway operator announced its intention to ban all non-folding e-bikes in its trains, stations and bike storage spaces from January. At the time of the ban’s announcement in July, the company cited the fire risk of several lithium-ion batteries.
> Merseyrail to ban all non-folding e-bikes citing safety risks
However, Cycling UK have announced plans to mount a legal challenge to the decision, “due to the devastating effect a blanket ban would have on some of the region’s residents, particularly older and disabled people.”
Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s Associate Director, branded the ban, “a huge backward step for accessible, sustainable transport in the region and one that will have a major impact on people’s wellbeing. Merseyrail’s response was deeply disappointing and showed they have failed to either adequately consider or understand the issue.
“People using e-bikes as their mobility aid are by definition not using other mobility aids, so offering reassurances about mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs is a fundamental misunderstanding of the problem.
“There is still time for Merseyrail to reverse its decision, and we urge them to reconsider in light of the devastating impact it will have on people’s lives.”
> Train station bike parking hub shut for two days after door kicked in by vandals
