Passengers at risk with e-bikes on Tube - union

A train drivers union has said it is considering balloting members for strike action over e-bikes being allowed on the London Underground.

An e-bike caught fire on a platform at Rayners Lane Tube station in north-west London last month.

A spokesperson for Aslef said: "There can be no justification for continuing to put staff and passengers at risk by continuing to allow potentially explosive devices on London Underground trains."

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said their primary concern was safety and they were reviewing their risk assessment following the fire.

The Aslef spokesperson said the fire on 27 February was caused by an e-bike that was being wheeled towards the open doors of a train at Rayners Lane.

The explosion scattered debris along the platform and the bike was engulfed in flames.

The fire was put out within 30 minutes by crews from London Fire Brigade.

"An explosion onboard a train would almost certainly have led to serious casualties or deaths," the Aslef spokesperson said.

"If it led to a derailment, there was a real risk of a mass casualty event.

"It beggars belief that TfL is still allowing these potentially explosive devices on their services.

"We will be issuing safety advice to our members, reminding them of their right to remove themselves from dangerous situations, and also considering a ballot for industrial action."

The TfL spokesperson said: "Our primary concern is always the safety of our customers and staff, and we regularly review our risk assessments and the controls we have in place to ensure our customers can travel safely.

"Following the recent incident at Rayners Lane station, we are reviewing our risk assessment and continue to talk to the London Fire Brigade about this incident."

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