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E-BIKE SAFETY INITIATIVES & RESOURCES

E-BIKE BATTERY SAFETY INITIATIVES

The Bicycle Association is convinced that e-bikes have huge potential for mobility, for health and to contribute to decarbonisation of transport. When sourced from responsible suppliers, they are a very safe and enjoyable form of transport.

However, we have noted with concern reports of fires attributed to lithium batteries used in some unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters.

The BA works closely with Government and supports urgent official action to address both the supply of unsafe e-bikes, conversion kits, batteries and chargers (overwhelmingly ordered online from overseas suppliers, often via online marketplaces) and the demand for them (we urge Government to require 'gig economy' operators to provide safe and legal e-bikes for their riders, to address the key driver of demand).

Ahead of official measures to address unsafe products, the Bicycle Association and other cycle sector organisations have developed a number of initiatives to help consumers stay safe by identifying reputable brands and retailers supplying legal, safety-tested e-bikes, and to demonstrate the reputable industry's commitment as responsible suppliers:

THE BA REGISTER OF SAFETY-AUDITED E-BIKE BRANDS

Users, potential customers, premises managers and others can refer to this register of e-bike brands whose quality and safety processes have been independently audited.

THE ACT & BA E-BIKE POSITIVE RETAILER PLEDGE

Identify a responsible e-bike retailer who has committed to the Pledge – to provide only safe, legal e-bikes, spares and repairs.

THE E-BIKE POSITIVE CAMPAIGN

A public-facing campaign aiming to strengthen consumer confidence in reputable e-bikes, backed by the BA, ACT, Cycling UK and Bosch.

THE BA E-BIKE BATTERY COLLECTION AND RECYCLING SCHEME

An initiative to facilitate the safe, responsible collection and disposal of end of life e-bike batteries via collection points UK-wide.

COMPANIES AGAINST TAMPERING

The BA and many of our member companies are pleased to support the Europe-wide initiative “Companies against tampering”, emphasising the industry’s opposition to de-restriction of e-bikes and similar actions.

GOVERNMENT ADVICE & RESOURCES

The Department for Transport in February 2024 issued four guidance documents, developed with considerable input from the BA, to provide battery safety advice for:

The UK’s product safety regulator, OPSS, has a variety of resources:

In October 2024 OPSS launched the campaign "Buy Safe, Be Safe: avoid e-bike and e-scooter fires" providing safety information for consumers.
In December 2023 OPSS issued a Government Safety Message on e-bikes and e-scooters aimed at consumers, offering them five-step advice when purchasing and using these vehicles to minimise risk. These are backed up by a collection of posters and social media content on e-bikes and e-scooters battery charging which suppliers are encouraged to use and disseminate.

The latest OPSS data on e-bike and e-scooter battery fires is available here.

Fire England has produced definitive advice on how to keep your home safe when charging your e-bike or e-scooter.