A recent exercise to educate delivery riders to the potential dangers of their bikes has found that the use of modified equipment is widespread.
The London Fire Brigade are called to an e-bike or e-scooter fire every two days and have spent a good deal of time over the last few years trying to educate people to the dangers that these batteries can pose.
Their latest initiative has seem them partnering with London Trading Standards to hold seven events across the city, focussing on areas that have seen a higher than average number of such incidents such as Wood Green, Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Newham.
The events – there were seven in total – were funded with £10,000 from the Office for Product Safety & Standards.
The two bodies, along with representatives from Electrical Safety First, spoke to e-bike riders around fast food restaurants as they waited to pick up food for delivery.
The riders’ equipment – particularly the battery packs – were examined to determine whether they were factory-manufactured or converted. Where safety issues were identified, riders were given advice and encouraged to take corrective action.
The London Fire Brigade’s ChargeSafe team was also present, distributing safety flyers in a variety of languages to ensure key messages reached London’s diverse communities. Riders also received practical guidance on safe charging habits and proper battery storage to reduce fire risks in homes and workplaces.
London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, Richard Field, said: ‘These events across London have been a great opportunity for our crews and partners to deliver crucial safety advice to those who need to hear it most.
‘We learnt that a vast number of riders are using modified e-bikes. While it was encouraging to learn about some of the safe storage and charging practices riders have adopted at home, we know that there is an increased fire risk, in particular with bikes that have had battery packs fitted. Along with the incidents that we are now unfortunately routinely attending, this activity reinforces how vital events like these are.’
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: ‘Gig economy workers are often difficult to reach, so it has been invaluable to share life-saving safety advice with them in person all across London. Many of the bikes we came across during this event were converted, confirming that DIY kits are highly attractive to this group.
‘Because of the accessible price point of a conversion kit versus a fully manufactured e-bike, many gig workers will turn to them as part of their work - but at present there are no safety standards for these kits. They are often sold incomplete, by third-party sellers online, with a motor, a handful of wires and a controller, missing the most important components: a battery and charger. If a consumer purchases an incompatible pair, the risk of a fire can be severe. It is vital safety standards for conversion kits are introduced to ensure the risk from substandard kits sold online is tackled.’
The London Fire Brigade are welcoming the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill is currently making its way through Parliament.
The Brigade’s Greg Carter saying: ‘The Bill should decrease the chance of customers being exposed to buying unsafe products, such as lithium batteries, chargers and conversion kits, which, when they do not meet the UK safety standards, can be extremely dangerous.’
Leave a Reply