'Urgent action' needed to prevent e-bike fires

Experts want tighter restrictions on kits used to convert pedal cycles into e-bikes due to a rising number of fires.

The National Fire Chiefs' Council said it wants to see "enhanced product safety rules" on conversion kits and greater regulation of sales.

More than 235 e-bike fires were reported in the UK over the past two years, just under half involving converted bikes.

The London Fire Brigade said e-bikes and e-scooters were the capital's fastest growing fire risk earlier this year and Ebay clamped down on their sale this week.

Residents of a Bristol tower block where a man fell to his death while trying to escape an e-bike fire told the BBC "lessons have not been learnt" two years on.

Abdul Jabar Oryakhel, 30, died and eight others were injured on 25 September 2022 when a lithium-ion e-bike battery pack, which had been charging at the time, overheated and caught fire at Twinnell House.

Resident Mark Barrett, who saw Mr Oryakhel fall to his death from the 16th floor, said “nothing’s changed” and he continued to see “homemade e-bikes” in the building.

“Knowing he had two options - that affects me the most - burn to death or come out the side of the building,” said Mr Barrett.

He believes the bike that caught fire was a homemade electric one, something Avon Fire and Rescue Service has been unable to confirm due to the damage caused by the fire.

“It has affected the community, especially seeing people coming in and out with the same bikes," added Mr Barrett.

“There should be some sort of legislation to say these homemade ones are not allowed in buildings. They are too dangerous.”

Bristol City Council said “Evidence continues to emerge which does raise concerns about the risk posed by lithium-ion batteries.

"If items are found not being stored or charged safely in communal areas, we will consider removing them from council houses.”

Three prevention of future death reports (PFDs) have been sent to the government in the past year following deaths involving e-bike battery fires.

PFDs are sent when a coroner thinks action is needed to protect lives.

The government has recently introduced a new bill to address the fire risks associated with e-bikes and other lithium-ion battery products.

A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: "We take the risk of e-scooter and e-bike fires very seriously.

"That's why we're working with local authorities to identify illegal products to prevent them from being imported, while notifying consumers and businesses about unsafe products.

"The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will allow us to amend product regulations, respond swiftly to innovative new products and maintain high safety standards."

The charity Electrical Safety First said it was concerned "incomplete" kits were leaving consumers to fit incompatible batteries and chargers, increasing the fire risk.

Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at the charity, said one issue was that when people bought kits online, some parts might be missing.

"They might include the motor, and the controller, but won’t always include the two most important bits – the battery and charger," Mr Capanna said.

“That leaves it to consumer to work out which products they need to make it safe - quite often they get it wrong.

“You have a high risk that a charger won’t be compatible with the battery. The battery could then become over-charged - that’s one of the things that can cause it go into thermal runaway, which causes it to catch fire and explode.”

Mr Capanna said there were reputable companies selling safe e-bikes and conversion kits.

An investigation by Electrical Safety First in 2022 found dozens of chargers sold online had no fuse and failed to meet UK safety standards.

The charity wants a standard to be introduced for conversion kits and charging systems, and a temporary ban on the sale of universal chargers.

Online shopping company eBay this week announced plans to clamp down on the sale of e-bikes and batteries in the UK.

According to government figures, 11 people lost their lives to fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters in 2023, with hundreds injured as a result of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

At present, manufacturers can self-declare their e-bikes and batteries are safe.

Electrical Safety First's call for independent third-party certification for the batteries is in line with similar requirements already in place for other high-risk products, such as fireworks and heavy machinery.

Mr Capanna said "urgent action" was needed to prevent further deaths.

Sofia Duarte was 21 years old when she lost her life in a fire caused by an e-bike in a block of flats in London on New Year’s Day 2023.

Investigators found a bicycle had been converted into an e-bike and its lithium battery pack had failed, causing the fire and blocking Ms Duarte's escape route.

Family friend Alda Simoes described Ms Duarte as “a lovely girl who wasn’t afraid of anything”.

“She had a very strong personality. She wouldn’t take no for an answer, she loved to travel on her own,” Ms Simoes said.

“Seeing people continue to die because of e-bike and e-scooter fires - I find it so unfair, because it could have been preventable.”

Ms Duarte's family is calling for urgent government action to implement regulations on e-bikes and e-scooters as well as the batteries and the chargers sold for them.

The Electric Bike Alliance is a collective of organisations, charities and businesses that promote the safe use of e-bike batteries and chargers in the UK.

Sarah McMonagle, from Cycling UK, said: “Like traditional pedal cycles, e-cycles boost physical and mental health, improve air quality, and reduce carbon emissions.

"They’re a great option for people who cycle in a hilly area, experience mobility challenges, carry children or shopping, or simply don’t want to get sweaty on their commute.

“When purchased from reputable manufacturers, e-cycles are very safe."

Steve Quinton, from Avon Fire and Rescue, was responsible for investigating the fire at Twinnell House in Bristol.

“Lithium-ion batteries can cause a catastrophic fire very quickly,” said Mr Quinton.

“If there is a fault, it can act as a jet engine, producing a large amount of smoke and heat very quickly - very difficult and challenging to escape from.”

Mr Quinton described e-bike conversion kits as “a real challenge” for fire services.

“There are reputable companies that provide conversions with appropriate electrical tests and safety certificates - we support those,” Mr Quinton said.

“The challenge is around the standard. There are a large number of kits out there that don’t meet any safety standard and that poses a real challenge to us.”

He said e-bike conversions should only be carried out by a professional using high-quality components.

Avon Fire and Rescue has been working with food delivery company Deliveroo to provide e-bike and e-scooter safety advice to its staff who often use e-bikes.

Firefighters recently met with riders in Bristol city centre to give guidance about how they can use their e-bike safely - focusing on conversion kits, charging and storage.

The BBC spoke to some of those with converted e-bikes at the event.

One rider, who did not want to be named, said: “You need an e-bike when you work full-time as a rider because you can’t push it all day – especially up hills.

“I am aware they can catch on fire, so you have to take care. I dismount the battery from the bike and charge it outside of the house, often in a garage.

“It’s very dangerous. It could set fire to the house and hurt people, so I am careful.”

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