Sadiq Khan has warned Londoners about the danger of buying an e-bike and e-scooter during Black Friday sales, despite allowing the vehicles to operate in the capital.
The warning comes as the UK experiences huge discounts due to annual sales with many looking to buy an electric scooter or bike for the first time.
While the vehicles offer a more sustainable travel option, riders have been warned about the huge fire risks they pose. E-bikes have been available in London since October 2022, when Transport for London introduced them to the Santander Cycles scheme.
Since then there has been a growing number of fires. The London Fire Brigade revealed that it had attended 124 fires caused by e-bikes and 24 caused by e-scooters in London this year alone.
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London Fire Brigade attended 124 fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters this yearPA/LONDON FIRE BRIGADEIn response to the growing fire hazards, the London Mayor posted on X, saying: “E-bikes offer an easy, sustainable way to get around London.
“But with Black Friday and Cyber Monday fast approaching, London Fire Brigade is urging Londoners to be mindful when purchasing these vehicles. E-bike battery charging is one of the fastest growing causes of fires in London.”
According to the London Fire Brigade, e-bikes and e-scooters are some of the biggest causes of fires due to their batteries with research finding that one fire is seen every two days.
The fires mainly occurred when the vehicles were charging inside homes, with the batteries subsequently overheating and causing a fire.
The warning follows a similar message issued by other local authorities across the UK, with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council also urging riders to be careful when buying a bike or scooter.
In a statement to residents, the council noted an increase in the number of fires related to lithium batteries which has quadrupled in the last three years.
In October, the Office for Product Safety and Standards launched a new safety campaign to help crack down on the number of fires.
The campaign aimed to help raise awareness about the dangers of buying faulty and unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters, urging riders to only buy from official regulated sites.
Product Safety Minister Justin Madders said: “E-bikes can be a great way to travel around the city, but we’ve all seen the tragic stories of unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters causing dangerous fires and taking lives.
“That’s why we’re urging everyone to check what you’re buying, check where you’re buying it from and ensure it’s safe to use.”
Meanwhile, Craig Carter from the London Fire Brigade explained that while e-bikes and e-scooters are a sustainable way to travel, they can “pose a significant fire risk”.
He stated that many of the fires attended by the service have involved second-hand vehicles or bikes which have been modified using parts bought online.
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E-bikes and e-scooters have been blamed for causing a large number of fires
LONDON FIRE BRIGADEWorryingly, Carter noted that due to there not being the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters sold via online marketplaces or auction sites “we cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standard”.
“We understand that people are trying to save money, but if you spot a deal that looks too be good to be true, it probably is,” he added.
