Request ID: FOI-0207-2324 Date published: 10 May 2023
You asked
Please clarify and elaborate if
1. TFL allows bicycle to e-bike conversions on its network when the:
• Conversion Kit is from the bicycles original manufacturer
• Conversions parts were all sourced from a single manufacturer/retailer
• Conversions parts come from multiple manufacturers
2. TFL actively prevents illegal e-bikes from traveling on its network. This includes e-bikes that:
• Have throttle only modes
• Provide power over 15mph
• output more than 250w power
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0207-2324
Thank you for your request which we received on 18 April 2023, asking for clarification on e-bikes.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm TfL holds some of the information you require.
Please refer to Section 9 in TfL’s Conditions of Carriage for Bus, Tube, Tram, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line services, for guidance on the use of bicycles across the network. The Conditions of Carriage can be found on our website here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-conditions-of-carriage.pdf
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
Regarding items that are not authorised to be carried on our network, TfL’s front line teams (such as station staff) are encouraged to remind customers of the ban but will not be expected to deny customers access to the system or to direct someone to leave. This is instead a role for TfL enforcement officers.
Enforcement officers have been briefed to adopt a four-step approach to enforcing the ban on our public transport networks: Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce. Our Enforcement officers (and the enforcement staff employed by our contracted service operators) are asked to enforce the ban using the 4E approach above, and have the option of denying a customer access to the system, directing a customer to leave the network or reporting them for prosecution. Officers use the same processes as for reporting other byelaw offences, and our Investigations, Appeals and Prosecutions Team will consider the evidence and decide whether to prosecute, in line with TfL’s enforcement and prosecution policy.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
