Merseyrail boss defends e-bikes ban

The managing director of Merseyrail has defended a ban on non-folding e-bikes on its trains and stations, insisting the measures are needed to improve safety and the risk is "really serious".

The new rules were introduced during the summer with Merseyrail citing safety fears over battery fires, but the ban will be enforced from January meaning passengers who bring e-bikes could face a fine.

Councillors in Liverpool have claimed the changes were made without consulting local active travel or disability groups.

But Suzanne Grant said the decision "wasn't taken lightly" and the ban was essential to protect staff and passengers.

Speaking about the issue for the first time on BBC Radio Merseyside, Suzanne Grant said the ban would be enforced and there would be no further consultation.

She said she was "sorry" to the people who were affected, but argued "We can't wait for an incident to ban bikes, and the risk is really serious".

The ban has been controversial, with cycling groups and different political parties locally questioning whether there was enough evidence to support it.

Last month, cyclists staged a protest outside Merseytravel's headquarters on Mann Island, and councillors in Liverpool approved a motion calling for Merseyrail to reconsider.

However, Grant said because a large percentage of the Merseyrail network was underground, safety and evacuation plans were complex.

She said: "We run a risk that there's a battery and if it starts to smoke, passengers start to self-evacuate".

As Merseyrail runs on a live third rail, she said, passengers getting off trains in an emergency underground would be even more dangerous.

She said the company had worked with Transport for London and Merseyside Fire and Rescue service assessing the risk and they concluded that a ban was the safest course of action.

Storing e-bikes at stations will also be prohibited.

Grant said the ban would be enforced from January, and anyone travelling with an e-bike could face a penalty.

"We have 90,000 journeys across the network every day and 500 staff - and their safety is my priority," she said.

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