Fire Safety Experts Agree Urgent Action Needed To Prevent E-Bike Fires
E-bike fires are becoming increasingly common, prompting urgent calls for action to prevent more tragedies. Concerns range from the dangers of conversion kits to devastating incidents, with fire safety authorities pushing for stricter regulations and enhanced safety standards to protect lives. Here’s a look at efforts to address this growing risk.
The National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC) is advocating for stricter regulations on conversion kits used to modify traditional bicycles into e-bikes due to the rise in related fires. The NFCC aims for stronger product safety regulations and more robust oversight of sales to mitigate these risks. In the past two years, the UK has reported over 235 e-bike fires, nearly half involving converted bicycles. The London Fire Brigade flagged e-bikes and e-scooters as the city’s fastest-growing fire risks, spurring eBay to restrict the sale of e-bikes and batteries on its platform.
One particularly tragic case occurred in Bristol at Twinnell House, where one person died attempting to escape a fire caused by an overheating e-bike battery in September 2022. Eight other residents were injured. A witness who saw the incident, expressed frustration over the continued presence of “homemade e-bikes” in the building emphasising the need for stronger legislation to prevent such dangerous conversions in residential areas.
Bristol City Council has also voiced concerns over lithium-ion batteries. The council stated that any unsafe storage or charging of these items in communal spaces could lead to their removal, acknowledging the significant fire risks associated with these batteries.
In response to the increase in e-bike fires, three prevention of future death reports (PFDs) have been submitted to the government over the past year. These reports are issued by coroners to prompt actions that could prevent future deaths. Following these PFDs, the government introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, aimed at bolstering safety standards for e-bikes, e-scooters, and other lithium-ion battery products. This legislation enables rapid updates to product regulations, ensuring that safety standards keep pace as new technologies emerge.
Electrical Safety First, a safety advocacy group, has highlighted the risks posed by incomplete conversion kits sold online. According to product safety engineer Giuseppe Capanna, many kits include components like motors and controllers but often omit crucial parts like batteries and chargers. This leaves consumers sourcing these parts independently, sometimes resulting in incompatible and unsafe combinations that can overcharge and catch fire. The charity is calling for clear safety standards for conversion kits and charging systems and a temporary halt on the sale of universal chargers that can exacerbate these risks.
Government data from 2023 showed that fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters led to 11 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Although manufacturers currently self-certify their products as safe, Electrical Safety First argues that independent third-party certification is essential, similar to existing regulations for fireworks and heavy machinery.
The loss of another person who died in a London block of flats on New Year’s Day 2023, highlights the stakes. The fire, which blocked any escape, was traced to a converted e-bike with a defective lithium battery pack. Since the event, family and friends have campaigned for stricter regulations on e-bike conversions and the batteries and chargers they use. Much frustration has been expressed over continued fatalities, calling them “unfair” and avoidable through better regulation.
Despite these dangers, the Electric Bike Alliance, an organisation promoting e-bike safety, underscores that properly manufactured e-bikes remain safe and offer numerous benefits. Sarah McMonagle of Cycling UK noted that e-bikes contribute to better physical and mental health, improved air quality, and lower carbon emissions, particularly aiding those for whom traditional cycling is challenging.
Businesses with e-bike storage areas or battery-powered vehicles on their premises should treat this as a potential fire hazard. With incidents on the rise, safety experts urge immediate and comprehensive measures to prevent further loss of life. For expert advice on fire safety and risk assessment please contact one of the team at SS Systems for an expert consultation.
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