The warning London Fire Brigade wants every e-bike rider to hear

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetySafety

E-bike and e-scooter fires reach record high in London

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has reported a record rise in e-bike and e-scooter fires in 2025.

According to the Brigade, 165 incidents were recorded between January and September, marking a 28% increase on the same period last year.

Of these, 134 involved e-bikes.

If this rate continues for the remainder of the year, London is expected to surpass 200 e-bike and e-scooter fires in a single year for the first time.

The Brigade described the growing number of fires as an urgent safety concern for the capital.

Fatal e-bike fire in Wood Green among recent incidents

In June, a 30-year-old woman died following a fire caused by an e-bike battery failure at a bedsit on Lordship Lane, Wood Green.

The victim, identified as Eden Abera Siem, was rescued from the property by firefighters and later died in hospital.

LFB’s Fire Investigation Team found that the blaze most probably originated from a charging lithium-ion battery pack for an e-bike.

It was the fourth fatal e-bike fire recorded in London and the first since 2023.

In all four cases, the person who died did not own or use the e-bike involved.

Multiple severe e-bike fires reported across the capital

The Brigade said several other serious e-bike and e-scooter fires had occurred in recent months.

In Putney High Street, a man suffered severe burns on Monday 22 September after a converted e-bike battery caught fire while charging.

Four days earlier, a woman in Downham sustained serious injuries after jumping from a first-floor window to escape a fire caused by a charging e-bike battery.

In August, another lithium-ion battery fire in a flat in Lewisham left one woman hospitalised with life-threatening injuries, though she later recovered.

In June, around 80 firefighters attended a large blaze at a block of flats in North Kensington.

Nine people were rescued from the building, where investigators concluded that a trike-style scooter battery had failed.

Unsafe products linked to rise in battery failures

According to LFB, many of the fires have been linked to second-hand or non-compliant batteries and chargers bought from online marketplaces.

The Brigade said that poorly built, fake or damaged batteries are at particular risk of failure when charged.

It added that batteries or chargers sold online are not always subject to the same regulatory checks as those sold through high-street retailers.

The Brigade has repeatedly urged the public to avoid using non-approved e-bike conversion kits and to follow safety advice when charging.

#ChargeSafe campaign calls for wider support

Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection Pamela Oparaocha said: “We continue to see the devastating consequences of e-bike and e-scooter fires in London.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Eden as well as all those who have been impacted by fires in recent years.

“Fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters are worryingly common in London.

“Since the beginning of 2023, we have attended a fire, on average, every other day, and some of these fires have destroyed homes and claimed lives.

“We launched our #ChargeSafe campaign in 2023 to highlight the fire risks with e-bikes and e-scooters; however the rising number of incidents we attend clearly demonstrate the urgent need for further awareness to help protect lives and avoid future tragedies.”

Brigade seeks action from gig economy companies

The Brigade said it plans to write to companies including Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo to encourage them to share e-bike safety advice with riders.

It noted that gig economy workers are among those at higher risk, particularly those living in shared accommodation where charging often takes place indoors.

Oparaocha said: “Everything possible must be done to help people understand the risks we know exist and the steps they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

“We’ve been pleased to work with organisations such as London Trading Standards and Deliveroo to share advice directly to e-bike riders.

“But these events have demonstrated the dangers people are exposing themselves and others to when it comes to their e-bikes in particular.”

Government regulation welcomed amid safety concerns

Oparaocha added: “Consumers should be protected from being exposed to dangerous, faulty or poorly-built products.

“As part of our #ChargeSafe campaign, we called on the Government to introduce much-needed regulation for online marketplaces.

“We are pleased that the Product Regulation & Metrology Act has been granted Royal Assent and have advised the Government on how they could strengthen the legislation, so that it better regulates unsafe and particularly poor quality or non-compliant lithium battery products being sold on online marketplaces.

“We look forward to working closely with the Government as the regulation develops to ensure it is robust in protecting people from unsafe products and the unique fire risks they present.”

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The rise in e-bike and e-scooter fires in London highlights the need for fire investigation and prevention teams to remain alert to lithium-ion battery hazards.

For building safety officers and property managers, the frequency of domestic charging fires reinforces the importance of clear tenancy guidance on battery storage and charging practices.

Electrical engineers and risk assessors can draw on LFB’s findings to inform inspection standards and identify non-compliant battery systems.

Procurement and compliance teams working with delivery or fleet operators may also need to review supplier verification processes for chargers, batteries and conversion kits purchased through online platforms.

Nearly half of e-bike fires in 2024 linked to post-market conversions

by Breaking NewsResearchSafetyVehicles

E-bike and e-scooter fires reported to OPSS in 2024

The UK Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) has reported that 211 fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters were notified by fire and rescue services in 2024.

This figure is drawn from voluntary product-related fire notifications sent by fire investigation teams who identified these vehicles as the most probable cause of a fire.

London Fire Brigade submitted the majority of these notifications, accounting for 175 of the total.

OPSS clarified that these reports are used to identify potential product safety issues but should not be used to estimate national fire figures or compare fire and rescue service performance.

The notification process was relaunched in 2023 with updated guidance, which has led to a gradual increase in the number of submissions from UK fire and rescue services.

Conversions account for large share of e-bike fires

According to OPSS data, 170 of the 211 fires involved e-bikes, with 45% of these (77 incidents) involving post-market conversions.

These conversions are typically kits added to standard pedal bicycles, often outside manufacturer-approved conditions.

Fires involving e-bikes of unknown build totalled 59 incidents.

Manufactured e-bikes were cited in 34 fire reports.

There were also 39 fires involving e-scooters, one involving an e-unicycle, and one involving a mobility scooter.

OPSS stated that this breakdown is based on voluntary submissions using either the government’s notification template or bespoke spreadsheets and templates submitted by individual services.

Revisions to earlier datasets have also been made, with figures for 2022 and 2023 updated based on late notifications.

Residential settings accounted for two-thirds of incidents

OPSS reported that 66% of fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters in 2024 occurred in indoor or residential locations.

The most commonly affected property types included single occupancy houses (45 fires) and purpose-built flats or maisonettes (38 fires).

Sixteen incidents took place in houses of multiple occupation, and 15 in converted flats or maisonettes.

Commercial properties such as retail units and restaurants accounted for 15 reported fires.

Garage or shed fires were reported in 7 incidents.

Four fires occurred in hotels or hostels.

New classifications introduced in the 2024 dataset included ‘road vehicle’ and ‘public transport and infrastructure’, accounting for 4 and 2 fires respectively.

In 16 cases, the property type was not specified.

OPSS noted that these revised categories allow for more accurate analysis of risk environments compared with previous years.

Fires mostly started indoors or in outdoor domestic spaces

The point of fire ignition was recorded for most incidents, with 101 of the 211 fires beginning in indoor spaces.

These included sleeping areas (20 fires), living rooms (25), kitchens (13), corridors (14), and indoor storage areas (8).

Seventy-eight fires occurred outdoors, including on roads or streets (37 fires), gardens or courtyards (19), parks or open land (9), and balconies (8).

Garage or shed fires were also counted in this outdoor grouping, totalling 11 incidents.

Transport-related fire origins were recorded in 3 cases.

OPSS reported that 29 fires had unknown or unclassified ignition locations.

The expanded categories for 2024 provided more detailed insight into fire settings, including newly added tags such as bathroom area, railway infrastructure, and outdoor storage areas.

Battery ignition and charging linked to many incidents

In 93% of the 2024 incidents (196 out of 211), batteries or generators were identified as the source of ignition.

Fifteen incidents had no confirmed ignition source.

Charging status was known in 162 incidents, or 77% of cases.

Of the total fires, 82 (39%) occurred while the device was charging.

A further 80 (38%) occurred when the product was not on charge.

Charging status could not be determined in 49 incidents (23%).

Converted e-bikes were disproportionately represented in charging-related fires, with 38 of 77 incidents (49%) occurring during charging.

E-scooter fires occurred during charging in 16 of 39 incidents (41%).

For manufactured e-bikes, 12 of 34 fires occurred while charging (35%), and for e-bikes of unknown build, 15 of 59 (25%) were charging at the time.

OPSS warned that the high number of unknown charging statuses limits the ability to directly compare across product types.

Eight fatalities and 86 casualties recorded in 2024

OPSS recorded 5 fatal incidents involving e-bikes or e-scooters in 2024, resulting in 8 deaths.

A further 42 fires led to non-fatal casualties, totalling 86 individuals.

OPSS stated that these figures only include cases where such outcomes were explicitly disclosed in the notification data.

This means the true number of fatalities and injuries may be higher.

Figures from earlier years, including 2022 and 2023, were updated in this release to reflect delayed data returns.

The department confirmed that future revisions would continue as more notifications are received, and any necessary corrections would be made with clear explanation.

E-bike and e-scooter fires in the UK: 2024 report: Summary

OPSS received 211 notifications of e-bike and e-scooter fires in 2024.

170 fires involved e-bikes.

77 of these were post-market conversions.

59 e-bike fires involved unknown build types.

34 fires involved manufactured e-bikes.

39 incidents involved e-scooters.

One fire involved an e-unicycle and one involved a mobility scooter.

66% of fires occurred in indoor or residential settings.

23% occurred in outdoor spaces.

3% were in transport settings.

London Fire Brigade submitted 175 reports.

Fire start locations included roads, living areas, sleeping areas, kitchens, and outdoor storage.

93% of fires had batteries or generators as the ignition source.

82 incidents occurred while charging.

80 occurred when not charging.

Charging status was unknown in 49 incidents.

5 incidents resulted in 8 fatalities.

42 incidents resulted in 86 casualties.

29 ignition locations were unclassified.

Figures are based on voluntary data from fire and rescue services.

ChargeSafe campaign tackles battery safety risks for e-bike and e-scooter users

by Featured NewsSafetyTraining

London Fire Brigade responds to rise in battery fires across the capital

The London Fire Brigade held a series of safety events held across London to address the increasing number of fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters.

According to the Brigade, the campaign – titled #ChargeSafe – comes in response to a marked rise in battery-related fires in the capital, including more than ten incidents within a five-day period.

The safety events focused on sharing advice directly with riders in boroughs identified as having a higher number of e-bike-related incidents, including Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Newham.

Collaborative events deliver direct engagement with riders

The London Fire Brigade stated that it partnered with London Trading Standards to deliver the sessions during spring 2025.

Firefighters engaged with riders in high-traffic areas such as outside fast food venues, offering translated flyers and battery safety advice.

Local Trading Standards Officers and Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, also attended, offering guidance on safe charging and collecting information about the most commonly used bikes.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner highlights prevalence of modified bikes

Richard Field, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection at London Fire Brigade, said: “These events across London have been a great opportunity for our crews and partners to deliver crucial safety advice to those who need to hear it most.

“Over the course of these engagements, we’ve spoken to hundreds of riders, offering them our #ChargeSafe campaign flyers, including versions translated into multiple languages such as Bengali, Urdu and Spanish.

“We learnt that a vast number of riders are using modified e-bikes. While it was encouraging to learn about some of the safe storage and charging practices riders have adopted at home, we know that there is an increased fire risk, in particular with bikes that have had battery packs fitted.

“Along with the incidents that we are now unfortunately routinely attending, this activity reinforces how vital events like these are.”

The Brigade reported that the events were supported by funding from the Office for Product Safety Standards following a successful bid by London Trading Standards.

Calls for regulation and online safety standards

Stuart Radnedge, regional co-ordinator at London Trading Standards, said: “This has been an excellent way of advising e-bike users about how to safely charge as well as avoid some of the risks when shopping online. At this time, we cannot be confident that products sold online, such as batteries and chargers, meet the correct safety standards.

“I’d like to thank all of the trading standards officers who have supported this initiative which is helping to make London safer.

“In addition, this project has enhanced relationships with the partners involved to ensure additional safety projects will take place in the future.”

Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, added: “Gig economy workers are often difficult to reach, so it has been invaluable to share life-saving safety advice with them in person all across London.

“Many of the bikes we came across during this event were converted, confirming that DIY kits are highly attractive to this group.

“Because of the accessible price point of a conversion kit versus a fully manufactured e-bike, many gig workers will turn to them as part of their work – but at present there are no safety standards for these kits.

“They are often sold incomplete, by third-party sellers online, with a motor, a handful of wires and a controller, missing the most important components: a battery and charger.

“If a consumer purchases an incompatible pair, the risk of a fire can be severe. It is vital safety standards for conversion kits are introduced to ensure the risk from substandard kits sold online is tackled.”

ChargeSafe campaign supports regulation of online marketplaces

The London Fire Brigade said it had recently taken part in two of Deliveroo’s Rider Roadshows, using them as further opportunities to speak directly with e-bike riders.

The organisation confirmed that its #ChargeSafe campaign has consistently called for increased regulation of online marketplaces selling lithium batteries, chargers and conversion kits.

It stated that the Product Regulation & Metrology Bill has been welcomed as a step towards protecting consumers from unsafe goods.

The Brigade explained that it is working with Government by providing data and technical input to strengthen the proposed legislation.

ChargeSafe campaign tackles battery safety risks for e-bike and e-scooter users: Summary

The London Fire Brigade has hosted safety events across London as part of its ChargeSafe campaign.

The campaign responds to a rise in battery-related fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters.

According to the Brigade, more than ten fires occurred over a five-day period.

Events were held in boroughs with high fire rates, including Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Newham.

Firefighters shared translated safety leaflets and offered advice directly to riders.

London Trading Standards and Electrical Safety First joined to give product-specific guidance.

The initiative was funded by the Office for Product Safety Standards.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Field said many riders used modified e-bikes with added battery packs.

The Brigade said the use of conversion kits increases fire risk, particularly when paired with unverified chargers.

Stuart Radnedge of London Trading Standards warned about buying batteries online that may not meet safety requirements.

Giuseppe Capanna of Electrical Safety First called for safety standards for DIY conversion kits.

The Brigade also attended Deliveroo Rider Roadshows to reach more riders.

It is supporting the Product Regulation & Metrology Bill to improve product safety online.

The Brigade is contributing data to help strengthen the new legislation.

London Fire Brigade discuss fires in two separate homes due to e-bike and e-scooter

by Featured NewsPeople

There has been two fires less than 24 hours apart involving an e-bike and an e-scooter, caused by lithium battery failures. The e-bike had been converted from a pedal bike and was charging using a generic charger.

The London Fire Brigade‘s Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Richard Field said: “Both of these fires were caused by catastrophic battery failures. When these batteries fail, they can cause ferocious fires, and the consequences can be devastating.”

Barlow Road fire

The first fire happened when the battery on a charging e-scooter burst into flames at a house on Barlow Road in West Hampstead, leading to the death of a dog inside the property.

The fire quickly spread across the ground floor and up the stairs and eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were dispatched to put out the blaze.

Bridlepath Way fire

The second fire occurred when the battery pack on a second-hand converted e-bike at a house on Bridlepath Way in Feltham caught alight.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were sent to the scene but the fire had already spread through much of the property once firefighters arrived.

Four people left the house before firefighters arrived, including one via a window, with two of the occupants taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, crews were able to rescue two dogs trapped in a room. A third dog that was inside the property was then discovered deceased.

The incidents reiterate why the Brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe campaign, with e-bikes and e-scooters becoming one of the capital’s fastest-growing fire risks.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, London Fire Brigade, Richard Field’s statement

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Richard Field, said: “We urge people who own these devices to follow the safety advice that will help to protect those around them and their properties.”

“E-bikes and e-scooters are a green and sustainable way to travel around our city. However, they can pose a significant fire risk, if not properly cared for, this is particularly true for the batteries used to power them which have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks.

“From our investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles or a bike that was been modified using parts bought online.

“At this time, there is not the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters sold via online marketplaces or auction sites when compared to high street shops, so we can’t be confident that products meet the correct safety standard.”

Lithium batteries cause two separate fires in London homes: Summary

The London Fire Brigade has spoken out about two seperate fires in less than 24 hours, both caused by lithium batteries in both an e-scooter and e-bike.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Richard Field said that e-bikes and e-scooters pose a significant fire risk is not properly cared for.

London e-bike and e-scooter fires rise, Black Friday sales surge

by Featured News

Black Friday e-bike and scooter sales in London

According to London Fire Brigade, e-bike and e-scooter fires occur on average once every two days in the past year.

Consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First and the London Fire Brigade have issued a joint warning regarding the risks associated with purchasing e-bikes, scooters, and conversion kits online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Research commissioned by Electrical Safety First and the London Fire Brigade surveyed over 2,000 Londoners.

The study found that e-bikes and e-scooters are among the top 10 most sought-after products for this Black Friday.

Additionally, 11% of respondents considered purchasing an e-bike conversion kit.

Online marketplaces pose safety risks

More than one in five respondents indicated they would consider buying an e-bike, e-scooter, or conversion kit during Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals.

Of these, 58% preferred shopping through online marketplaces.

This preference raises concerns about the potential for purchasing substandard or unsafe products.

Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, stated: “Buying from a reputable manufacturer or retailer has never been so vital when it comes to electrically powered bikes and conversion kits.”

She emphasised the importance of compliance and safety in preventing battery failures that could lead to fires.

Conversion kits and charging hazards

Experts are particularly worried about modified electric bikes and conversion kits.

Poor installation, substandard parts, or incorrect charging can result in fires.

Electrical Safety First and the London Fire Brigade advise that batteries must be charged with compatible chargers to ensure safe voltage and current levels.

The survey revealed that 27% of Londoners are not confident in selecting compatible chargers for their e-bike or e-scooter batteries.

This lack of confidence increases the risk of overcharging and subsequent battery fires.

Personal tragedies highlight the dangers

One south west London resident, Don Hettiarachchi, experienced a devastating fire caused by his son’s converted e-bike.

The fire destroyed their home and left the family in emergency accommodation.

Don recounted: “My son’s converted e-bike was charging inside the conservatory, had caught fire and the kitchen was full of thick black smoke.”

Don advised caution to potential buyers: “Make sure the e-bike battery and the charger are compatible with one another.

“Make sure you buy from a reputable seller that you know and trust.”

Charge Safe campaign aims to prevent fires

The London Fire Brigade has launched the #ChargeSafe campaign to raise awareness about the fire risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters.

The campaign seeks regulatory changes to prevent the sale of poor quality batteries, chargers, and conversion kits on online marketplaces.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Field commented: “We are urging anyone looking to buy an e-bike or e-scooter, or the batteries, chargers or conversion kits, do so from a reputable seller.”

London e-bike and e-scooter fires rise, Black Friday sales surge: Summary

The London Fire Brigade and Electrical Safety First have issued warnings about the increased risk of e-bike and e-scooter fires during Black Friday sales.

Research indicates a surge in purchases, with many Londoners opting to buy online, potentially leading to unsafe products.

Experts highlight the dangers of substandard conversion kits and incompatible chargers.

A personal account from a London resident underscores the severe consequences of such fires.

The #ChargeSafe campaign aims to educate consumers and advocate for stricter regulations to ensure product safety.

London Fire Brigade collaborates with Amazon and Deliveroo to boost fire safety awareness for e-bikes and e-scooters

by Breaking NewsSafety

London Fire Brigade teams up with Amazon and Deliveroo to reduce e-bike and e-scooter fire risks

London Fire Brigade has joined forces with companies such as Amazon and Deliveroo to spread its #ChargeSafe fire safety message.

This collaboration comes as the Brigade tackles an increasing number of e-bike and e-scooter fires in London.

According to the Brigade, firefighters responded to 179 such fires in 2023, which resulted in three fatalities and over 60 injuries.

So far in 2024, approximately 100 fires involving these devices have been recorded.

The #ChargeSafe campaign is designed to raise awareness about the proper use and maintenance of e-bikes and e-scooters to reduce fire hazards.

By partnering with Amazon and Deliveroo, the London Fire Brigade is ensuring that safety advice reaches both customers and delivery riders.

Deliveroo roadshows help raise awareness among riders

Deliveroo has been actively participating in the #ChargeSafe campaign through its Rider Roadshows.

Most recently, Deliveroo riders visited Shoreditch Fire Station to receive fire safety guidance from firefighters and learn about the dangers associated with e-bike fires.

The event included videos demonstrating the rapid spread of these fires and provided practical advice on safe charging and storage.

London Fire Brigade has been present at other roadshows held across the city, engaging with riders in areas such as Ealing, Wimbledon, and Marble Arch.

The events aim to educate delivery riders about safety precautions to take when using e-bikes.

Amazon collaboration targets online buyers of e-bikes and accessories

Amazon, as a major online marketplace for e-bikes and related accessories, has also joined the #ChargeSafe campaign.

Customers purchasing e-bikes, batteries, and chargers from the platform now receive safety advice directly via email.

These notifications provide simple, actionable tips to help users reduce the risk of fire.

Amazon is also enforcing stricter safety standards by requiring sellers to provide proof of compliance with applicable laws and documented testing from accredited laboratories.

The Brigade hopes this collaboration will help ensure that buyers receive safer products.

Government introduces new product safety legislation

In addition to these partnerships, new legislation is on the horizon to further protect consumers.

The UK Government announced a Product Safety and Metrology Bill in the King’s Speech in July, which aims to regulate high-risk products such as e-bike batteries and chargers.

This Bill will provide new regulatory powers to enforce safety standards and reduce the fire risks associated with these devices.

London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley welcomed the legislation and highlighted the impact of e-bike and e-scooter fires, saying that three deaths in London last year resulted from such fires.

None of the victims owned the e-bikes involved.

The Brigade hopes this Bill will help protect consumers and reduce fire risks.

E-bike and e-scooter top safety tips

Consumers are advised to follow key safety measures when using e-bikes and e-scooters to minimise fire risks.

These include ensuring that escape routes are not blocked by these devices, using the correct charger, and avoiding modification of the battery.

The Brigade also emphasises the importance of buying from reputable sellers and checking for UKCA or CE marks on products.

Users should be vigilant for any signs of malfunction, such as batteries becoming hot to the touch or changing shape.

The Brigade also recommends allowing batteries to cool before recharging and installing smoke alarms where the devices are charged.

London Fire Brigade partners with major companies to promote e-bike and e-scooter fire safety: summary

London Fire Brigade has collaborated with Amazon and Deliveroo as part of its #ChargeSafe campaign to combat the rising fire risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters in London.

In 2023, the Brigade responded to 179 fires involving these devices, resulting in three deaths and over 60 injuries.

Deliveroo has engaged riders through roadshows, while Amazon is sending fire safety tips to customers purchasing e-bike products.

Additionally, new UK legislation has been announced to regulate the safety of e-bike batteries and chargers, aiming to reduce the fire risks posed by these products.

E-bike fires in London reach a new record high

by Featured NewsSafety

In a concerning development this year, firefighters in London have addressed more e-bike and e-scooter fires than in the entirety of 2022.

This now marks e-bike incidents as the city’s most rapidly growing fire-related concern.

A closer look at the numbers

By the close of August, there were 104 e-bike fires reported, in addition to 19 e-scooter incidents.

This statistic surpasses the total of 116 fires managed in the previous year.

Tragically, three lives have been claimed this year from incidents suspected to stem from e-bike lithium battery malfunctions, resulting in an additional 51 injuries.

There’s been a subsequent plea from a coroner to the Office for Product Standards and Safety (OPSS) to instigate further safety protocols, stemming from a fatal e-bike incident in March.

Why are e-bikes and e-scooters catching fire?

E-bikes and e-scooters are prone to sudden fires if their lithium batteries sustain damage or start to malfunction.

While purchasing privately owned e-scooters is not illegal, using them in public spaces and on London roads is prohibited.

London Fire Brigade remains an ally of police enforcement activities, ensuring these vehicles are not employed hazardously.

E-bike fire awareness and safety campaigns

London Fire Brigade’s #ChargeSafe initiative is striving to educate the public about potential fire hazards and providing guidance on self-preservation.

Recently, an e-bike fire in Brixton necessitated a man’s hospitalisation for burn treatment.

Senior fire officials in London are advocating for the introduction of standardised regulations pertaining to e-bikes, their conversion kits, batteries, and chargers.

They are also seeking stringent oversight of online marketplaces where products might not conform to existing safety norms.

From the Brigade’s perspective, purchasing e-bikes from reputable sellers ensures the product’s compliance with safety standards.

Contrarily, e-bikes or e-scooters fitted with independently bought batteries or components pose a heightened risk.

International regulations and perspectives

In New York, legislative measures are underway to ban the sales, lease, or rental of e-bikes, e-scooters, and related batteries that do not fulfil recognised safety criteria.

Deputy Commissioner Dom Ellis remarked on the growing frequency of e-bike and e-scooter fires in London, highlighting the environmental merits of these vehicles, but also shedding light on the hazards, particularly when modified with substandard components or mismatched chargers.

The Commissioner emphasised the pressing need for in-depth research into battery fires and their causes, and for a stringent regulatory framework to curtail the influx of potentially dangerous products on online platforms.

In-depth analysis of recent fires

An in-depth review of the 73 e-bike fires from the year’s first half reveals that approximately 40% involved a converted e-bike.

Worryingly, around 77% likely involved battery failures – with cheaper, online-sourced batteries, which may not be in line with UK safety protocols, being the major culprits.

Furthermore, about 41% of the incidents occurred while the bikes were charging.

Official advice and guidance

Deputy Commissioner Ellis further emphasised the severity and potential harm of such fires, providing critical advice on safe storage and charging.

Safety guidelines for e-bike and e-scooter users have also been released, focussing on safe storage, not meddling with batteries, proper charging protocols, and ensuring all components meet UK safety standards.

IFSJ Comment

The surge in e-bike and e-scooter fires in London offers a pressing reminder of the challenges that come with emerging technologies.

As e-bikes and e-scooters become more prevalent due to their environmental advantages and convenience, it’s paramount that safety regulations and awareness campaigns keep pace.

The consequences of neglecting this can be fatal.

The report’s findings provide a critical resource for fire safety professionals globally, urging a proactive stance towards addressing potential hazards tied to these popular vehicles.

Eight killed at e-scooter showroom fire in India

by Featured NewsSafety

A fire that started at an electric scooter showroom in India killed at least eight people and injured 11 according to police said reports on Tuesday, marking what has become the deadliest incident involving electric vehicles in the country.

The fire broke out late on Monday in a hotel basement housing the showroom with around two dozen electric scooters in the southern city of Secunderabad. The fire had been brought under control and an investigation had been launched, police said.

Police and firefighters used cranes and other equipment to rescue stranded hotel guests from upper floors of the four-storey building. Most of those killed were occupants of the hotel, which was engulfed by smoke.

“There were electric scooters parked where the fire started,” city police official Chandana Deepti told Reuters. “We don’t know if it started because of overcharging and then spread or whether it started elsewhere. That is still being established.”

C.V. Anand, the police chief of the neighbouring city of Hyderabad, told ANI: “Those staying on the first and second floors were overpowered by smoke and the maximum casualties are from those floors.”