The reporter has raised safety concerns in relation to Rail Safety Workers (RSWs) not being able to enforce a recently introduced ban for the carriage of converted electric bicycles (e-bikes) on passenger trains.
The reporter states, 'From [date], converted e-bikes have been banned on [Operator] services due to the unacceptable risk of fire that lithium‑ion batteries pose. On [date], [Operator] issued [RSW Directive] which directs train crew, who are Rail Safety Workers under the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL), not to enforce the ban'.
The reporter is additionally concerned about the lack of training and advised, beyond the [RSW Directive] itself, no training has been provided to train crew as to how to identify the types of e-bikes that are permitted compared to the types that are banned. Training has not been provided on what to do in the event a lithium-ion battery explodes on board a train, as well as the fact that on-board fire extinguishers are not rated for this type of fire.
The reporter advised, e-bikes in general are growing in size and are now becoming obstruction hazards onboard trains. Large e-bikes are often placed across emergency exits and at times chained to handrails. This poses a hazard in times of an emergency evacuation or removal of an e-bike that has caught fire.
The reporter advised Police cannot be relied upon to enforce the ban on converted e-bikes as they are rarely present on both station platforms and onboard trains. Further, Police will only respond to an emergency situation, for example, if there is a direct threat to life.
The reporter raised a further concern and states, 'ALL e-bikes have been banned from [Operator's lead agency] office spaces and staff‑controlled areas of platforms due to the risk of fire, yet train crew are supposed to ignore the same risks and take trains and passengers into tunnels with no means of extinguishing any fire that might occur'.
The reporter raises a final point in relation to [RSW Directive]. The reporter states, 'This directive is unreasonable and unlawful insofar as it attempts to pressure crew to ignore their safety obligations as Rail Safety Workers under s56 of the RSNL and s28 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 ([State]). The [RSW Directive], if followed, could expose Rail Safety Workers to liability under ss58-60 of the RSNL as well as potential civil liability.
The reporter is further concerned RSWs feel they are not supported by [Operator] should they take action to prevent a serious safety incident which subsequently creates a delay to the network schedule.
Thank you for providing the REPCON report regarding safety concerns about the enforcement of the recently introduced ban on converted e‑bikes on [Operator] services.
We acknowledge the concerns raised about the inability of Rail Safety Workers (RSWs) to enforce the ban. Under current arrangements, RSWs are not authorised to enforce this prohibition. Enforcement powers for such bans are limited to authorised officers under relevant legislation. Train crew, while having responsibility in relation to the safe operation of services, do not have the legal authority to enforce the ban on converted e-bikes.
As a result, train crew have been directed not to enforce the ban, consistent with their authorisation status. We recognise the operational and safety challenges this presents and are reviewing our safety management systems and training to ensure risks are appropriately managed. We also note the concerns regarding emergency procedures and obstruction hazards and will consider these as part of our ongoing risk assessments.
Should enforcement powers or authorisation requirements change, we will update our procedures and training accordingly.
ONRSR confirms receipt of ATSB REPCON report RR2025-00081, regarding rail safety workers not being able to enforce a ban on converted e-bikes on trains. ONRSR has reviewed the reporter’s concerns and operator’s response. ONRSR notes the operator confirmed train crew have been directed not to enforce the ban, consistent with their authorisation status. ONRSR encourages all rail safety workers and passengers to report any hazards or notifiable occurrences in accordance with the reporting procedures that forms part of the operator’s safety management system.
Fire on trains is a priority focus area for the passenger sector as part of ONRSR’s National Sector Safety Themes. ONRSR has engaged with passenger operators to highlight concerns relating to e-rideables on trains, seeking details of risk assessments, control measures and fire on train emergency exercises. In [State], ONRSR regularly meets with passenger operators and the relevant government agency in relation to the introduction of the partial e-bike ban to clarify enforcement roles and responsibilities.
ONRSR continues to monitor lithium battery related occurrences on the rail network nationally, and this is an agenda item at meetings with passenger operators. Compliance audits of passenger operators are scheduled through the 2025-2026 ONRSR national work program with a focus on passenger operators' management of the risk of fire on a train.
ONRSR is aware of efforts to review international approaches to managing the risk of e-rideables and there may be further developments in government policy and applicable standards in the near future.