As officials say they want to address safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries and overcrowding, a new policy that governs e-bikes and bicycles across the GO Transit network is now in effect.
GO Transit staff will begin inspections of e-bike batteries and e-bike equipment on Tuesday to ensure everything complies with Canadian safety standards.
In addition, a ban has begun on bicycles and e-bikes for weekday trains scheduled to arrive at Union Station between 6:30 and 9:30 am and weekend trains departing from Union Station between 3 :30 and 6:30 pm.
“We really want to make sure that from a safety perspective, we’re still fit for purpose,” Frank Ibe, executive vice president of Metrolinx, told CityNews during an interview Tuesday afternoon.
“We’ve worked with Toronto Fire Services, we’ve worked with e-bike suppliers and we’ve also seen some unfortunate events in the news regarding e-bikes, so we really want to make sure our customers are completely safe.”
Ibe said the previous set of rules did not touch e-bikes. The updated policy comes as TTC staff are set to impose restrictions on e-bikes. Toronto Fire Services has seen a jump in fires linked to substandard or damaged lithium-ion batteries and chargers, including a E-bike fire aboard a TTC subway car on New Year’s Eve.
On social media, there have been growing reports of overcrowding on some trains with doors, walkways and stairs being blocked.
When asked about the increase in couriers and gig workers on GO Transit train lines, particularly the Kitchener and Lakeshore West lines, who rely on devices for work and what is made to increase the capacity for everyone, Ibe said that his staff returned to data and will continue to look at it in the coming months.
“We have moved the bicycle buses in these lines. We have also dedicated our service model so that they can really meet the times of the day that travel with these bicycles,” he said, adding eight new bicycle buses have been put into service.
Regarding the application of the new policy, riders who do not comply could face a fine of up to $ 360. CityNews asked about any potential project to start issuing tickets widely.
“We hope that we will not have to go to enforcement. We have spent a lot of time on education, communicating with our customers,” said Ibe.
“The application is really the last approach, and we have spent about four weeks already just encouraging and driving this right behavior. Essentially, we hope that it will only be a monitoring process rather than the application.”
Advocates generally support the changes, but concerns remain for some
Rajiv Haté, a personal injury lawyer with Kotak Law, said there was a growing need for action with an increasing number of lithium-ion battery fires connected to e-bikes.
“The more frequently it happens, the more worrisome it becomes,” he said Tuesday, adding that the changes “make sense” in terms of pushing for higher standards.
“When you become aware of a known danger and do nothing to avoid that danger, then that’s when there can be arguments against you for negligence, for failure … to ensure the safety of the leaders.”
Haté said the policy is still new, but more steps can be taken as more information becomes available.
He urged people to use classified equipment for the device as there may be lingering liability questions.
Alison Stewart, director of advocacy and public policy for Toronto cycle – a non-profit dedicated to promoting cycling, said the changes are “good news” for commuters as they work to promote active transport.
However, she said she is concerned about the implementation of the changes.
“I don’t think a lot of people are aware of how much their bike weighs, what kind of battery … they just want a convenient way to get around,” Stewart said.
She said the rush hour ban will have a negative impact on commuting, referring to her cases of visiting family in Guelph. She said she faces a train gap of more than three hours on the Kitchener line after the last train in the evening rush hour leaves Union Station.
“I often take an e-bike or an acoustic bike … outside of peak hours, there are very few trains to take, so I think they should review this policy … and do their best to add bicycle cars supplementary”.
Stewart urged GO Transit officials to be consistent, empathetic and open to working with people, especially international students who might be gig workers, to avoid issuing fines.
“It just seems particularly steep, especially for those earning less than minimum wage,” he said.
Summary of changes to GO Transit rules
Under the new policy, e-bikes and batteries must have “UL” or “CE” requirements and certifications. GO Transit staff will now work to inspect all e-bikes carried on buses and vehicles, and those that meet the requirements will have a tamper-proof seal attached. If the battery is determined to be unsafe, the policy says it can be ordered removed from the GO property.
Another change specific to e-bikes includes the ban on battery charging on GO property and the ban on damaged e-bikes or with corroded batteries. There will also be a maximum weight limitation of 55 kilograms (or 25 kilograms if there is no battery).
Other changes include:
- A maximum of two bicycles and/or electric bicycles per train car, kept in dedicated areas (green bicycle stickers on the doors show where the areas are)
- If the dedicated areas have bicycles or electric bicycles, customers have to try a different train car or wait for the next train.
- Owners must stay with bicycles or e-bikes, they cannot be locked on the train
- Doors and stairs cannot be blocked
- Bicycles and e-bikes cannot be stored on accessible buses (unless the customer has a disability and has received approval from GO Transit)
- When a train is equipped with a bicycle coach, customers are encouraged to use it versus passenger cars
- Mopeds, scooters or e-bikes that “look” like motorcycles will be banned from trains, buses, tunnels and platforms.
The updated policy also simplified the rules for buses. Bicycles and e-bikes must be placed on the racks in front of the bus (folding bicycles are exempt from this requirement), and there are only two seats per bus.
The maximum weight per bicycle or e-bike is 25 kilograms and e-bike batteries must be removed. Drivers are not allowed to assist with loading and unloading.
Regarding the rules in stations, e-bikes can be parked where bicycles are allowed. However, charging of e-bikes is not allowed at stations.
Bicycles and e-bikes are not allowed to ride on stations or platforms.
If the e-bike “looks like (s) a moped, scooter or motorcycle,” it must be parked in a place of the vehicle.
