The decision, announced by Transport for NSW, is part of a broader crackdown on e-bike safety, with a particular focus on DIY conversion kits that have been linked to battery malfunctions and two recent fires at train stations. The measure does not affect manufactured e-bikes or shared mobility devices, at least for now.
Fires and Faulty Conversions Drive New Legislation
The legislation follows a series of alarming incidents involving lithium-ion batteries fitted to converted e-bikes. According to Transport for NSW, such bikes, typically regular pedal models retrofitted with electric motors and batteries, pose a significantly higher risk of catching fire due to poor wiring, second-hand components, and a general lack of safety oversight.
Two battery-related fires earlier this year, at Liverpool and Blacktown train stations, served as direct catalysts for the government’s intervention. These incidents highlighted the potential danger posed by homemade or substandard setups in public transport environments, particularly in enclosed spaces like train carriages or platforms.
“These changes are not about limiting mobility – they are about protecting lives and importantly, protecting the continued safe operation of our metro and rail services,” said Josh Murray, Secretary of Transport for NSW. The new rules explicitly prohibit riders from bringing lithium-ion batteries, attached or otherwise, linked to converted e-bikes into any fare-paid section of the network. This includes trains, platforms, and ticketed metro areas, though it excludes concourses, lifts, and bike storage zones located outside fare gates.
Offenders risk a $1,100 fine, which mirrors penalties issued for bringing petrol-powered devices onto railway premises. Transport authorities are hoping the deterrent will discourage casual or uninformed riders from using potentially hazardous equipment in transit areas.
Pushback and Future Regulation
While the policy has received broad support from transport authorities and safety advocates, it has also prompted calls for a more nuanced approach in the long term. According to Bicycle NSW, the ban is being viewed as a temporary solution, intended to buy time while standards are drafted for safe e-bike conversions.
Peter McLean, CEO of the cycling organisation, acknowledged the safety concerns but warned against a blanket exclusion. “There are some good e-bike conversion kits on the market that will now be banned,” he told Daily Mail.
The growing popularity of e-mobility across Australian cities has introduced a range of regulatory challenges. Between 2020 and 2022, e-bike sales in Australia more than tripled, and councils have been struggling to balance accessibility with safety. A recent NSW Parliamentary inquiry collected submissions from multiple local governments reporting unsafe footpath conditions and pedestrian discomfort, particularly in urban areas.
This latest ban follows another legislative effort aimed at shared e-bikes, with new rules enabling councils to fine operators up to $55,000 for failing to remove abandoned or dangerously parked bikes. Measures also include designated parking bays, no-go zones, and mandatory helmets to curb footpath clutter and enhance safety.
While converted e-bikes remain the immediate focus, Transport for NSW has stated it will continue to monitor all micromobility-related incidents. Future amendments could expand regulations to include additional types of electric mobility devices if similar risks emerge.
