Merseyrail could be asked to look again at its ban on electric bikes on its network after Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said there were “inconsistencies” in the policy. It was announced in July how following a detailed safety review, Merseyrail will enforce a ban from January 1 next year.
The operator’s ban will apply across all Merseyrail stations, including station buildings, car parks and cycle storage facilities, as well as onboard trains. Amid concerns that the move had been adopted without engagement from the public, Mr Rotheram made his view clear when he appeared before councillors yesterday.
Mayor calls for reexamination
The Metro Mayor revealed to the Liverpool City Region overview and scrutiny committee he was “getting the blame” for the new policy and had asked the rail operator to reexamine the evidence for the plan. As it stands, passengers will still be able to travel with standard pedal bicycles, folding e-bikes, approved mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs that meet national requirements.
The operator is keen to educate users in the run up to January 1, but will not permit the bikes on trains. This is thought to be around the number of tunnels around the Merseyrail network and the lack of windows on the class 777 trains.
Inconsistencies highlighted
The ECHO understands the ban will come into effect in due course, with penalties to be introduced from New Year’s Day. Mr Rotheram told elected members how he had issues with the adoption of the ban.
He said: “I’ve been critical myself. Should there have been a consultation? Yes.
“Should they have consulted first with the Metro Mayor? Yeah, because have a guess who is getting the blame for it?
“I think there’s inconsistencies in the ban. What they first said was folding bikes would be fine, but non-folding bikes would not be allowed on to the trains, but they might have the same battery on both of those vehicles so I think there’s an inconsistency there.”
The other thing is, lithium batteries, we’ve all seen the scary pictures when one goes off, it’s primarily when they’re being charged. What we should be saying is nobody can charge any batteries of any type on these.
“There are other vehicles that we aren’t banning that have lithium batteries, mobility scooters and people in wheelchairs who’ve got batteries.” By 2028, Merseyrail is expected to enter public ownership which would change the way policies are adopted by the operator.
Mr Rotheram added: “We had a meeting on Friday with Merseyrail and we’ve asked them to go away and reexamine the evidence base for this and then for them to think about wider consultation. I’m hoping that’s what they do, I can’t force them at the moment believe it or not.”
Charity criticises ban
The adoption of the ban has also been criticised by Cycling UK. Duncan Dollimore, the charity’s associate director, said: “As Steve Rotheram said, policy-making should be evidence-based.
“With Merseyrail’s e-bike ban, we’ve not seen the evidence, but can see many inconsistencies and holes. The longer this situation goes on, the more stories we hear about how serious the impact on people will be, and a blanket ban is not proportional to mitigate a risk we’ve seen no evidence of.
“It doesn’t work, and is simply unfair – everybody suffers from this. While we welcome the news today that Merseyrail will be reviewing this policy, they must do so alongside sharing their safety review and consulting the people and organisations it will affect.
“So far, Merseyrail has declined to meet with us, but there’s still time to reverse the ban – and we’re very willing to sit down and discuss.” The ECHO approached Merseyrail for comment.
