North Yorkshire train operator bans e-scooters from services
The rail operator that runs local trains in York, Selby and across North Yorkshire has banned e-scooters and electric skateboards from all of its services and stations.
Northern says the devices’ lithium batteries pose a fire risk if they overheat.
Electric wheelchairs, registered mobility scooters and e-bikes are not included in the ban, which comes into force this Thursday.
Why are they doing this?
Northern says: “Safety is our number one priority, so we (and many other train operators) believe e-scooters, and other PMT such as hoverboards, pose a relevant fire risk due to potential ‘thermal runaway’ of the battery.
“Recent incidents associated with faulty, or unregulated, lithium batteries show the risk these batteries pose of catching fire, after severe overheating.
“Once the thermal runaway reaction has started there is no way of stopping it or extinguishing the fire until the reaction has finished. A large amount of potentially toxic smoke is emitted and jets of flame are often produced.
“The result of such a malfunction onboard a train could cause serious harm to passengers and staff.”
Can they stop you from travelling if you insist on carrying an e-scooter onboard?
The train operator says; “You may not enter a Northern station or travel on a Northern service with an e-scooter. If you arrive at a station with one, we will ask you to return without your e-scooter and we will work to get you on an alternative service.”
Your scooter is CE / UKCA approved – why can’t you bring it on board?
“From a safety point of view, we are unable to check all e-scooters or PMT so for consistency a blanket ban will be in place.
“The current industry information is that most privately owned e-scooters are not approved for use in the UK as they are not legal for use anywhere other than private property.
“We will continue to review this policy as and when we obtain further information from the industry.”
So an e-bike isn’t in the banned list but they are at the same risk as other battery powered vehicles. They cannot ban electric wheelchair’s or mobility scooters because they would be hit with discrimination cases that they would lose.
IMHO they banned privately owned e-scooters because everyone would buy a e-scooter rather than pay to hire one from the roadside locations where they are situated. It’s a money making scam to relieve people from their money if they want to get somewhere a bit quicker than walking and sometimes by their car.
As no e-scooter is road legal in the UK except for legitimate hire ones which shouldn’t leave their hire areas this should not be a real issue.