Daily Transportation News

August 29, 2026

How to Avoid E-Bike Battery Fires & Standards for Safe Charging

Photo Source: Bicycling Magazine / Hearst Communications

Article by David Howard | Featuring John Orlando "John Orlando, the former New York City fire marshal, says if he sees a rider wheel an e-bike onto the subway with a suspect-looking battery, he’ll exit the car and get on a different one."

As e-bikes and electric micromobility devices rapidly expand across cities nationwide, regulators and safety advocates are taking closer steps to address the hazards posed by uncertified lithium-ion batteries and incompatible chargers. Thermal runaway fires associated with substandard conversion kits have prompted updated regulatory standards, safety testing requirements, and enhanced consumer education.

In an article reported by David Howard for Bicycling Magazine, experts including John Orlando examine the underlying causes of e-bike battery failures, key warning signs of compromised cells, best practices for safe charging and storage, and how legislative rules—such as those recently enacted in Illinois and New York—are reshaping fleet compliance standards for riders and transportation agencies alike.

Source: Bicycling Magazine

Click Here to Read More on Bicycling.com

FTA Opens $610 Million Competition for Bus and Low- and No-Emission Transit Projects

The Federal Transit Administration has opened its FY2026 competitive funding opportunity for bus replacement, bus facilities, and low- and no-emission transit projects. The combined notice makes approximately $21 million available through the Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program and approximately $589 million through the Low or No Emission Program, with applications due September 21.

The opportunity is particularly significant for transit regulators and agencies planning fleet modernization. FTA's requirements include Zero-Emission Fleet Transition Plans for applicable applicants, workforce-development requirements for zero-emission projects, Buy America requirements, and evaluation criteria covering safety, system condition, accessibility, service reliability, and implementation readiness.

Source: Federal Transit Administration

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Illinois Enacts Statewide Safety Standards for High-Speed Micromobility

Illinois has enacted statewide safety standards for high-speed e-bikes, e-motos, and other electric micromobility devices. Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation on August 26 establishing uniform standards intended to replace a patchwork of local ordinances and address devices that can operate at substantially higher speeds than traditional bicycles. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

The legislation gives regulators a significant new case study in statewide micromobility regulation. Rather than regulating these devices solely through local ordinances, Illinois is establishing common classifications and operating rules intended to protect riders, pedestrians, and motorists.

Source: Illinois Secretary of State

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Grand Rapids Places Automated License Plate Readers Under Formal Surveillance Oversight

Grand Rapids, Michigan, will bring its police department's automated license plate reader system under the city's Surveillance Technology Policy. City Manager Mark Washington said an administrative order expected by mid-September will require future purchases, renewals, and expansions of the system to receive Public Safety Committee review and City Commission approval.

Source: City of Grand Rapids | Read More

Richmond Transit Station Incident Injures 10 and Prompts Safety Review

A GRTC bus was involved in an incident at Richmond's Downtown Transfer Station on August 25 that resulted in 10 non-life-threatening injuries and damage to two passenger shelters. GRTC temporarily closed the facility while emergency responders and staff secured the area before reopening it later that day.

Source: GRTC | Read More

New York Updates Physical Performance Testing Guidelines for School Bus Personnel

The New York State Education Department has issued updated physical-performance-test guidelines applicable to school bus drivers, monitors, and attendants. The revised guidance was posted August 28 as part of the state's transportation compliance requirements.

Source: New York State Education Department | Read More

TTC Opens Public Consultation on 2027 Network Plan

The Toronto Transit Commission is seeking public input on its 2027 Annual Network Plan, with the first consultation phase focused on an Express Bus Network Review and proposed bus-route changes. The consultation runs through September 13, with a second round planned for November.

Source: Toronto Transit Commission | Read More

Ontario Files New Speed-Limit Regulation for Highway 15

Ontario has filed Regulation 295/26 under the Highway Traffic Act, amending the province's speed-limit regulations for a section of Highway 15 in Leeds and Grenville. The regulation was made August 25 and filed August 27.

Source: Government of Ontario | Read More

Yonge North Subway Extension Moves to Major Procurement Stage

Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx have advanced the Yonge North Subway Extension's stations, rail and systems contract after closing the request-for-proposals stage. Eleven teams were shortlisted to submit proposals for the approximately eight-kilometre extension of TTC Line 1.

Source: Infrastructure Ontario / Metrolinx | Read More

UK Rail Investigators Open Investigation Into Wickford Derailment

The UK's Rail Accident Investigation Branch has opened an investigation into the August 14 derailment of a Greater Anglia passenger train near Wickford, Essex. The rear vehicle derailed while the train was traveling at approximately 77 mph, running along sleepers and ballast for 1.5 miles with no injuries to the 62 passengers aboard.

Source: Rail Accident Investigation Branch | Read More

Dutch Safety Board Studies General-Aviation Airprox Events

The Dutch Safety Board has issued an interim update on its thematic investigation into airprox events involving general aviation in the Netherlands, assessing pilot survey results and reported close encounters ahead of a final report in early 2027.

Source: Dutch Safety Board | Read More

Portugal Competition Authority Calls for More Open Rail Market

Portugal's Competition Authority has recommended measures to open passenger and freight rail transportation to greater competition and remove regulatory barriers that make it harder for new operators to enter or expand.

Source: Portuguese Competition Authority | Read More

Seoul Expands Late-Night Driverless Taxi Fleet to 19 Vehicles

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has expanded its late-night driverless taxi service in Gangnam from seven to 19 vehicles. Having recorded over 6,000 paid rides by August, the expanded fleet will operate in school zones alongside ongoing industry consultations.

Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government | Read More

New Zealand Removes Certain Heavy-Vehicle Permit Requirements

New Zealand's heavy-vehicle productivity reforms took effect in August, permanently removing permit hurdles for 50MAX vehicles and allowing certain drivers to operate heavier low- or zero-emission commercial vehicles.

Source: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi / Ministry of Transport | Read More

Abu Dhabi Link Continues Expansion of On-Demand Public Transit

Abu Dhabi Link is continuing its expansion of on-demand shared public transit to complement fixed-route services in lower-density areas, following an August 24 mobile application dispatch update.

Source: Abu Dhabi Link / Integrated Transport Centre | Read More

Nevada Regulators Approve Unprecedented Expansion of Paid AV Networks in Clark County

Photo Credit: Nevada Transportation Authority / Press Release

The Nevada Transportation Authority (NTA) has granted approval for autonomous-vehicle network company (AVNC) permits, authorizing an expansion pool of up to 7,000 newly permitted commercial autonomous vehicles in Clark County. The approvals grant Tesla up to 5,000 vehicles, Waymo up to 1,000 vehicles, and Uber up to 1,000 vehicles over the next 12 months, joining Zoox’s previously approved fleet.

The decision follows administrative reviews regarding curbside congestion along the Las Vegas Strip. For regulators, this decision represents a pivotal shift from pilot monitoring to large-capacity commercial fleet integration, requiring close oversight of curbside management and safety compliance.

Source: Nevada Transportation Authority / Local Media

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