NSW government 'not ruling out' banning e-bikes on public transport
The NSW government is not ruling out the possibility of banning e-bikes and e-scooters on public transport following growing fire concerns.
The potential ban comes after the escalating cases of lithium-ion batteries bursting into flames.
"Across Transport, safety is our absolute number one priority," NSW Secretary of Transport Josh Murray said this morning.
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A 2022 report by We Ride Australia found that 3.6 million Australians have used an e-scooter before and in NSW, 1.3 million households currently own an e-rideable.
Murray said that NSW Fire and Rescue teams are working closely with Transport NSW to understand the risks of e-vehicles on public transport.
"We are constantly assessing our risk assessments of any new technology," he added.
"We will be talking to our passengers about the risks."
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The government's analysis of a possible ban comes after reports that one-third of all lithium-ion fires relate to e-scooters or bikes.
Mobility scooters will not be included in the ban as they do not pose the same risk as lithium-ion powered e-vehicles.
If bans are carried out, they could be enacted as soon as September.
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