Online purchases of e-bikes, e-scooters and chargers are fraught with risks, safety charity warns
Explosive device: the Fire Brigade is called out to an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day in London
The Fire Brigade has issued a warning to Londoners not to let their Black Friday bargain go up in smoke.
The LFB and consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First, have issued a stark joint warning over the risks of buying e-bikes, electric scooters and conversion kits online.
The warning comes as new research commissioned by the two organisations found that e-bikes and e-scooters both appeared in the Top 10 most sought-after products the capital’s residents are considering buying this Black Friday.
And 1-in 5 of those surveyed said they would definitely consider taking advantage of a Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal to purchase an e-bike, e-scooter or or e-bike conversion kit.
The Brigade and safety charity’s concern is that, when shopping online, the capital’s Black Friday bargain-hunters could bag a dodgy deal.
“Buying from a reputable manufacturer or retailer has never been so vital when it comes to electrically powered bikes and conversion kits.” said Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First.
“These devices are useful purchases when they are compliant and safe and purchased from a reputable manufacturer. But if they are either sub-standard, charged incorrectly or conversion kits are installed poorly, they present a risk of a ferocious fire in the event of a catastrophic battery failure.
“Safety starts with where you shop. Unknowingly buying a substandard e-bike, charger or conversion kit online could have serious consequences.”
Fires caused by batteries in electrically powered bikes and scooters are one of London’s fastest growing fire trends, with the London Fire Brigade being called out to an e-bike or e-scooter fire, on average, every other day in the past year.
Fire exit: e-bikes or e-scooters stored in the home, if they catch fire, can often block the way out for residents in an emergency, such as this call-out last year
London Fire Brigade’s deputy assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, Richard Field, said: “We understand that people are trying to save money, but if you spot a deal this week that looks too be good to be true, it probably is.
“When shopping from third-party sellers via online marketplaces or auction sites, there is not the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters compared to buying from high street shops, so you can’t be confident that your purchases will meet the correct safety standards.
“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.”
Electrical Safety First and the London Fire Brigade are also warning shoppers seeking out conversion kits that it is essential a battery is charged with a compatible charger, meaning it supplies the battery with a safe voltage and current.
Conversion kits purchased online often come with a motor, controls and wiring. But it is common for them to lack a battery and a charger, so the shopper will often need to purchase these items separately, leaving them at risk of purchasing an incompatible pair.
If an incompatible or sub-standard charger is used, the battery risks overcharging and this increases the risk of the battery catching fire.
Of the 2,001 Londoners surveyed, 27% said they would not be confident picking out a compatible charger for an e-bike or e-scooter battery in the event they had to purchase one separately.
The Brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe campaign to raise awareness of the fire risks associated with these types vehicles and to seek changes to regulation to prevent poor quality batteries, chargers and conversion kits being sold via online marketplaces.
The LFB urges owners of e-bikes and e-scooters to always keep it outside or in a shed. If this is not possible, put it in a room with a smoke alarm, and where you can shut a door and contain a fire.
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