Don’t Let a Blanket Ban on E-Bikes Cut Off Access to the Outdoors

The NSW Government is currently reviewing whether e-micromobility devices — like e-bikes and e-scooters — should be banned from trains, buses, and ferries. The proposed change is driven by safety concerns about lithium-ion batteries, which in rare cases can cause dangerous fires in confined spaces.

Outdoors NSW & ACT agrees: safety matters. But let’s be clear — a blanket ban is not the answer. If we ban e-bikes from public transport without considering alternatives, we risk shutting people out of the very outdoor opportunities the government has spent millions creating.

The Contradiction We Can’t Ignore

On one hand, governments across NSW are investing heavily in new mountain bike (MTB) parks and trail networks, promoting the visitor economy and community connection through active transport. We know that e-bikes are another option for people to get active, spend time in nature, and improve their wellbeing which is encouraged through proactive health messaging.

On the other hand, restricting e-bikes on public transport makes it harder for many people — especially young riders, families without cars, and lower-income communities — to actually access locations where they would want to ride.

This contradiction undermines the intent of public investment.

A Call for Smarter Solutions

We are not calling for safety to be compromised. Lithium-ion battery risks are real and need to be managed. But there are smarter, balanced solutions that protect commuters without cutting off access to outdoor recreation:

• Allowing e-bikes outside of peak commuter hours

• Introducing designated, ventilated storage areas on trains and ferries

• Requiring certified, safe batteries for carriage

• Investing in park-and-ride facilities at recreation hubs

• Educating the community about safe battery care

These approaches protect people and keep the doors open for healthier, more active lifestyles.

Why This Matters

Outdoor recreation is not a luxury — it is essential to community health, wellbeing, and resilience. If e-bikes are banned from public transport, we risk creating inequity where only those with cars can reach the outdoors. That’s not good enough for a state that prides itself on fairness and accessibility.

Outdoors NSW & ACT is calling on Transport for NSW to listen to the outdoor industry, to recognise the role e-bikes play in accessing government-funded infrastructure, and to avoid a short-sighted ban that discourages people from getting active.

Let’s keep safety front of mind — but let’s also keep the outdoors accessible for everyone.