A leading train drivers’ union has threatened strike action unless Transport for London (TfL) bans e-bikes from the capital’s Underground network, following a recent fire incident at a Tube station.

The warning from ASLEF comes after an e-bike caught fire on the platform at Rayners Lane station at the end of last month, prompting the suspension of services on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines. Three fire engines responded to the blaze, though no injuries were reported.

Union officials say the outcome could have been far worse had the bike ignited onboard a train rather than on the platform.

“An explosion onboard a train would almost certainly have led to serious casualties or deaths,” said Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s organiser on the Underground. “And if it led to a derailment, there was a real risk of a mass casualty event.”

ASLEF has accused TfL of double standards, pointing out that while e-scooters and e-unicycles have been banned on the Tube since 2021 due to fire risks, e-bikes remain permitted.

“The absolute hypocrisy of banning scooters and other battery-operated vehicles, but not e-bikes, is staggering – and a real risk to passengers, platform staff, and Tube train drivers,” Brennan added.

The union claims its health and safety representatives have been raising concerns about the dangers of lithium battery fires for years, but say TfL continues to ignore the threat.

“It is now common to see groups of e-bike riders board trains together, exponentially increasing the danger,” said Brennan. “A fire on one could easily cause others to explode.”

In response, ASLEF says it will begin issuing safety advice to its members, reminding them of their right to withdraw from situations they deem dangerous. The union has also confirmed it will now ballot its members for potential industrial action.

“There can be no justification for continuing to put staff and passengers at risk by allowing potentially explosive devices on London Underground trains,” ASLEF said in a statement.

TfL responded by stating that passenger and staff safety remains its top priority and that it is actively reviewing its safety protocols following the incident.

“Our primary concern is always the safety of our customers and staff,” a TfL spokesperson said. “We regularly review our risk assessments and the controls we have in place to ensure our customers can travel safely. We will continue to talk to the London Fire Brigade and keep our policies under review.”