Request ID: FOI-1749-2223 Date published: 03 November 2022
You asked
Is there an official list of "potentially dangerous objects" that may be subject to action under Byelaw 2, or at least a list of items that have been stated to be subject to such action (eg e-scooters)?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1749-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19th October 2022 asking for information about the TfL Railway Byelaws.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Is there an official list of "potentially dangerous objects" that may be subject to action under Byelaw 2, or at least a list of items that have been stated to be subject to such action (eg e-scooters)?”
No such exhaustive list exists. However, note that the wording of the Byelaw itself (see here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/railway-byelaws.pdf - section 2(2) refers) provides the following examples:
“A potentially dangerous item is an item which, in the reasonable opinion of an authorised person, may or may be used to threaten, annoy, soil or damage any person or any property. For the avoidance of doubt, a potentially dangerous item may include, but is not limited to: (i) a loaded weapon of any kind; (ii) any flammable, explosive or corrosive substance; and (iii) any item which is or may become dangerous.”
You may also be interested in the Transport for London Conditions of Carriage (see here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-conditions-of-carriage.pdf) and in particular section 9, ‘Personal possessions, luggage, bicycles, scooters and animals’. As you can see, paragraphs 9.5 and 9.6 state:
“9.5 You must not bring with you anything that: • is more than 2 metres long • you are unable to carry yourself (including on stairs and escalators) • is hazardous or inflammable • is likely to cause injury or obstruct other customers or staff • is likely to cause damage to buses, trams, trains or stations.
9.6 You cannot take an electric scooter or electric unicycle on our bus, Tube, Tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and London Cable Car services.”
Anyone in doubt on whether an item is likely to be considered dangerous should seek the written permission of the operator before taking it on board.
If this is not the information you are looking for 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
