Hanoi Metro apologizes over confusion on lithium-ion battery bike ban

The company said it has not issued any official ban on such vehicles but acknowledged that some employees had miscommunicated internal guidance on Tuesday morning, resulting in inconvenience to passengers.

“The company sincerely apologizes to passengers, particularly those with foldable bikes powered by lithium-ion batteries, who were affected by the confusion,” Hanoi Metro said in a statement.

It added that until formal regulations are adopted, passengers may continue to bring foldable bikes — including those with lithium-ion batteries — on board.

However, it encouraged riders to use buses or public bicycles to connect with metro services and to avoid using battery-powered bikes during peak hours due to potential fire hazards.

The company said it had reviewed practices in other metro systems worldwide, noting that most prohibit bicycles with lithium-ion batteries, while others impose strict requirements such as power capacity limits or removal of the battery before boarding.

Hanoi Metro said it will continue studying the issue and seek a long-term solution that balances convenience with public safety and environmental goals.