E-Bike fires are rising
E-bikes and e-scooters are everywhere. They’re convenient, affordable and a greener way to travel. But the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires can’t be ignored.
The London Fire Brigade is calling on the Government to urgently strengthen product safety laws after another sharp rise in e-bike and e-scooter fires across the capital.
Record Number of E-Bike Fires in London
Last year alone, firefighters in London attended over 200 fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters with 83% involving e-bikes. That works out at roughly one fire every other day.
There have now been multiple fatalities linked to these types of fires in recent years. In many cases, the people who lost their lives weren’t even the owners of the bikes involved.
This isn’t just an issue to e-bike riders, it’s a property and household fire risk.
What’s Causing These Fires?
The main culprit? Lithium-ion battery failure.
Most incidents are linked to:
Poor-quality or counterfeit batteries
Incompatible or incorrect chargers
DIY conversion kits
Damaged or modified battery packs
Products bought online that don’t meet UK safety standards
When these batteries fail, they can ignite rapidly and behave very differently from traditional fires often spreading quickly and producing intense heat that can spontaneously re-ignite due to thermal runaway.
From a fire risk perspective, they’re extremely difficult to control once ignited.
Why the Fire Brigade Is Pushing for New Laws
The Government has already passed the Product Regulation and Metrology Act, which is designed to strengthen product safety rules. However, the detailed secondary legislation that will actually enforce stricter standards hasn’t yet been introduced.
Spencer Sutcliff, Deputy Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, has written to the Government urging faster action, warning that firefighters are continuing to deal with these incidents on an almost daily basis.
Better regulation could prevent more fires.
The #ChargeSafe Message
Alongside calls for legislation, the Brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe campaign to raise awareness of battery risks.
Key safety advice includes:
Always use the manufacturer’s original charger
Avoid buying unbranded batteries online
Never charge batteries overnight or unattended
Don’t block escape routes with bikes
Avoid modifying or tampering with battery packs
This is especially important for delivery riders and those using conversion kits, where non-compliant components are more common.
Lithium-ion battery fires are fast, intense, and can compromise escape routes within minutes.
A Growing Risk That Needs Action
E-bikes aren’t going anywhere and nor should they. They’re part of the shift towards sustainable transport.
But improved product standards, clearer regulation, and better public awareness are essential to reduce preventable fires. Businesses allowing e-bikes to be stored on the premises must review their fire safety policies and measures to ensure they remain valid.