Metrolinx to ban certain e-bike batteries from its trains starting April 9

Metrolinx will ban certain e-bike batteries starting next month to lessen the potential for fire hazards aboard its trains.

The provincial transit agency says starting April 9, e-bike batteries will have to comply with standard UL or CE requirements, in addition to other measures, to be permitted on its trains. Metrolinx says this is to ensure the safety of its customers and to better align with other jurisdictions.

Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries used in electric cars, e-bikes, laptop computers and cellphones, as well as other electronics. Modifying a lithium-ion battery or its charger, operating the electric device in an unsafe manner and using an unapproved or uncertified battery are among the things that can cause fires.

The TTC is considering a similar ban.

“Nothing is off the table when it comes to what we do about e-bikes,” said TTC spokesperson Stuart Green. “We want to be bike-friendly but we also need to be mindful of fire safety because what we do know is that some of these bikes get tricked out and the batteries are modified in a way that creates a fire hazard.”

Green admits a ban would be difficult to enforce.

“It would mean we’d have to have staff checking everybody’s bikes to see if they’re battery-powered or not. We’re not there yet, we need to have that broader look and we’ll be reporting back to our board and they’ll make a final decision on what we do about bikes.”

On New Year’s Eve, a fire broke out aboard a Toronto subway car as it pulled into Sheppard-Yonge station after an e-bike and its battery ignited. Dramatic video of the incident showed flames raging inside the car with smoke billowing from the train onto the platform.

Last October, two people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation after an electric bike fire at a residential building in Toronto and earlier in the same month, fire crews responded to a Toronto Community Housing building for a fire involving an e-bike.

Toronto’s fire chief admitted earlier this year that fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries are a growing concern for firefighters.

“The fires that result from the failures of lithium-ion batteries represent a significant risk,” said Fire Chief Matthew Pegg.

“When lithium-ion batteries fail and ignite, the response is an intense, rapidly developing fire that poses an immediate risk to anyone in the area.”

There were 55 fires in the city last year that resulted from the failure of lithium-ion batteries, up from 29 such fires in 2022, he said.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report