E-scooters and hoverboards banned from stations and trains

Electrically powered scooters have been increasingly popular over the past year despite there being very specific rules and regulations around their use.

But Northern Rail announced this afternoon that customers would be prohibited from bringing e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards onto their trains or into their stations from the start of December due to the fire risk.

A post on the company's Twitter page said: "From 1 December 2022 e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards will all be banned from our trains and stations due to the potential fire risk posed by the lithium batteries in these devices, which can overheat and catch fire."

It seems e-bikes will still be allowed and when some queried on Twitter about justifying the distinction between e-bikes and the banned items, Northern Rail responded.

The rail firm said: "We, and other TOCs (train operating companies), have deemed them a risk to safety on trains due to documented fire hazard and these have been banned because of this.

"You can view this in the National Rail Conditions of Travel."

Hoverboards conjure up an image of Marty McFly zooming around in Back To The Future but they are in fact a real product, but with two wheels and work like a segway without anything to hold onto.

E-skateboards meanwhile are exactly what they say on the tin - a skateboard with an electronic motor.