TTC bans e-bikes, e-scooters aboard vehicles during winter months – Toronto [Video]

On Tuesday, the TTC’s Board of Commissioners voted in favour of banning e-bikes and other micromobility devices which use lithium-ion batteries during winter months over the fire risk.

The board made the move despite acknowledging that it will disproportionately affect lower-income gig workers and enforcing the new rules will be difficult to do so.

The decision means that all e-bikes and e-scooters will be banned from November 15 to April 15, effectively prohibiting the devices on board any TTC vehicle as of Tuesday.

A TTC spokesperson said that enforcement will begin with an education campaign before working up to staff telling passengers they can’t bring the vehicles on board. Failing that, TTC enforcement could be in the position to ticket violators.

The issue was brought to the forefront after an e-bike burst into flames while on board a subway car last New Year’s Eve. No one was injured, but TTC staff have acknowledged that had …