Avanti West Coast to ban e-scooters in trains and stations over safety fears

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

From The Guardian

Vehicles to be banned due to batteries that can produce ‘vapour of toxic gases and lead to fire or risk of explosion’

Avanti West Coast has issued a ban on e-scooters across all its trains and stations over safety fears.

The train operator said that from Tuesday 27 December the devices will be prohibited because of the risk posed by the lithium-ion batteries that are normally in e-scooters. It said these batteries can produce “a vapour of toxic gases and lead to a fire or a risk of explosion” if they become damaged or overheated.

The ban covers e-scooters and hoverboards, but mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the policy.

Dave Whitehouse, safety and security director at Avanti West Coast, said: “At Avanti West Coast the safety of our staff and customers comes first. The risks associated with e-scooters are a significant concern and are why we are banning them at our stations and onboard our trains.

“This temporary ban is to preserve the safety of our colleagues and customers until there is greater regulation on e-scooters. We ask our customers to adhere to these new rules and be kind to our staff helping to enforce them, so we can keep everyone safe.”

Despite their ubiquity across cities in England, riding a privately owned e-scooter on public roads is against the law. However, there are legal trials of rental e-scooters in dozens of towns across the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) where the device can be ridden on the road and in cycle lanes. The trials started in July 2020 and due to delays caused by Covid, have been extended to May 2024.

E-scooters were banned last year by Transport for London across the network, citing safety risks after a number of battery fires.

The announcement of Avanti West Coast’s ban came on the same day a coroner issued a warning about e-scooter safety after the death of a 14-year-old girl. Fatima Abukar was riding a privately owned e-scooter on 21 March last year on the pavement in East Ham in east London before entering the carriageway and colliding with a minibus. She fell beneath its wheels and died from “catastrophic head injuries”, the inquest heard.

The east London senior coroner Graeme Irvine said deaths from e-scooter crashes more than doubled after police changed policy to confiscate fewer of the devices.

He issued a report to the home secretary, Suella Braverman, and the Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, asking them to take action to prevent future deaths.

Mobility scooters, e-bikes & electric wheelchairs are exempt and can still be used though.

[ChrisB]

And now, EMR^» (East Midlands Railway, also known as EMT^» (East Midlands Trains - about) (East Midlands Trains) - about) too....

From ITV News

E-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards banned from East Midlands Railway trains and stations

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has banned e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards at all its stations and on its trains due to potential safety threats.

Electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the ban – as are mobility scooters for those with access needs.

The new rule was introduced today (19 December) to stop threats posed when the lithium-ion batteries used to power the scooters overheat.

When the batteries get too hot, there is no way of stopping the temperature building or extinguishing the fire until the reaction has finished. Subsequently, a large amount of potentially toxic smoke is emitted, and flames often produced.

This could cause a fire or serious harm to customers and staff on trains and platforms.

Katie Arthur, Head of Safety at East Midlands Railway, said: “After some consideration, and in line with other partners in the rail industry, we are bringing in a ban on e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards from December 19.

“These devices, which are often not approved for use in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom), pose a potential risk as they contain lithium-ion batteries that are sometimes known to overheat.

“We understand that these devices are popular, but the safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority.”

[Bmblbzzz]

From The Guardian

Vehicles to be banned due to batteries that can produce ‘vapour of toxic gases and lead to fire or risk of explosion’

Avanti West Coast has issued a ban on e-scooters across all its trains and stations over safety fears.

The train operator said that from Tuesday 27 December the devices will be prohibited because of the risk posed by the lithium-ion batteries that are normally in e-scooters. It said these batteries can produce “a vapour of toxic gases and lead to a fire or a risk of explosion” if they become damaged or overheated.

The ban covers e-scooters and hoverboards, but mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the policy.

Dave Whitehouse, safety and security director at Avanti West Coast, said: “At Avanti West Coast the safety of our staff and customers comes first. The risks associated with e-scooters are a significant concern and are why we are banning them at our stations and onboard our trains.

“This temporary ban is to preserve the safety of our colleagues and customers until there is greater regulation on e-scooters. We ask our customers to adhere to these new rules and be kind to our staff helping to enforce them, so we can keep everyone safe.”

Despite their ubiquity across cities in England, riding a privately owned e-scooter on public roads is against the law. However, there are legal trials of rental e-scooters in dozens of towns across the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) where the device can be ridden on the road and in cycle lanes. The trials started in July 2020 and due to delays caused by Covid, have been extended to May 2024.

E-scooters were banned last year by Transport for London across the network, citing safety risks after a number of battery fires.

The announcement of Avanti West Coast’s ban came on the same day a coroner issued a warning about e-scooter safety after the death of a 14-year-old girl. Fatima Abukar was riding a privately owned e-scooter on 21 March last year on the pavement in East Ham in east London before entering the carriageway and colliding with a minibus. She fell beneath its wheels and died from “catastrophic head injuries”, the inquest heard.

The east London senior coroner Graeme Irvine said deaths from e-scooter crashes more than doubled after police changed policy to confiscate fewer of the devices.

He issued a report to the home secretary, Suella Braverman, and the Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, asking them to take action to prevent future deaths.

Mobility scooters, e-bikes & electric wheelchairs are exempt and can still be used though.

The exemptions are odd, in a way. Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are probably virtually made to high enough standard that, like the lithium-ion battery in your laptop and phone, there's very little risk of them catching fire. E-bikes, if from reputable sources, will be in the same category – but not if they're homemade conversions or e-bay specials. And e-scooters will be similarly safe if they're eg from one of the big hire companies, but not if they're, again, e-bay specials.