UK government to tackle e-bike battery fire risk

The new Labour government has committed to tackling the fire risk posed by unregulated e-bike batteries.

A Product Safety and Metrology Bill will clamp down on the dangerous chargers, batteries and e-bike kits reaching consumers via the big online marketplaces.

The proposals have been welcomed by the Bicycle Association, which also recommends that gig economy operators should be required to provide delivery riders with safe and legal e-bikes. It is hoped this measure would limit the demand for dangerous e-bikes and conversion kits.

With as many as two million e-bikes in the UK, and sales on the up, battery fires are on the increase. However, they currently occur at a rate of less than one per day.

Has your landlord stopped you storing an e-bike?

According to Cycling Electric,  some landlords are citing misunderstood fire risks to stop tenants from storing e-bikes.

You can complain to Trading Standards about an unfair term in your tenancy agreement. Trading Standards will pass your complaint to the Unfair Contract Terms Unit at the Office of Fair Trading. If a term is found to be unfair, it invalidates the particular clause, which then becomes unenforceable.

The OFT has issued a guide with further info on how to complain.

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E-bike insurance

ETA cycle insurance covers all road-legal electric bicycles as standard. And we include Cycle Rescue for free. If your e-bike develops a mechanical fault, including a flat battery, you can call on our breakdown recovery team 24/7.

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Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

E-bike fire risk advice

The greatest risk of e-bike fires stems from poor quality electric bicycles, chargers and batteries sold by disreputable dealers. E-bike conversion kits that have not been installed by a professional, and mismatching batteries and chargers also increase any risk.

The UK government recommends these five steps when buying and charging your e-bike:

• Only buy an e-bike, e-scooter, charger or battery from a known seller and check any product reviews
• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and using e-bikes or e-scooters
• Not all e-bike or e-scooter batteries and chargers are compatible or safe when used together. Check and only use the manufacturer’s recommended battery or charger
• Always charge in a safe place without blocking exits and always unplug your charger when you have finished charging
• Never attempt to modify or tamper with your battery

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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