Buy Safe, Be Safe: Is your new e-bike or e-scooter dangerous?

The UK Government recently introduced their ‘Buy Safe, Be Safe’ campaign, raising awareness of unsafe e-bike and e-scooters. This topic is particularly important at this time of year, as consumers are looking for bargains and deals during the festive season, and many are unaware of the risks posed by counterfeit vehicles that don’t comply with UK safety regulations.

What is the Government’s ‘Buy Safe, Be Safe’ campaign?

The ‘Buy Safe, Be Safe’ campaign aims to raise awareness of fire risks associated with faulty or unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters, particularly those with lithium-ion batteries. With incidents of battery-related fires increasing, the campaign offers practical advice to consumers.

Key tips include purchasing from trusted sellers, ensuring that products meet UK safety standards, and following manufacturer guidelines for charging and maintenance. The initiative also emphasises using compatible chargers and avoiding battery tampering to reduce hazards. As the popularity of these vehicles increases, there’s a greater need for education surrounding these risks to prevent further incidents.

How can e-bikes and e-scooters be dangerous?

As we’ve recently explored, there has been a significant rise in the number of e-bike fires, with London Fire Brigade reporting 183 incidents in 2023 within the capital. With just 5 incidents reported in 2018, this is a huge increase in just 5 years. The main cause of these fires is battery failure, as overheating lithium-ion batteries release flammable gas that can result in fire or explosion.

Aside from the risk of fire, it’s also worth noting that e-scooters pose a risk of personal injury due to the inconsistencies of laws and regulations that apply to motor vehicles. They have also been reported as being more heavily involved in crime due to their speed and agility. In this article, we’re going to focus on the fire risks of e-scooters and the relevant ‘Buy Safe, Be Safe’ campaign, but you can find out more about the laws and regulations regarding e-scooters in this guide.

How can you reduce the risk of e-scooter fires?

By making sound purchasing decisions, properly maintaining the vehicle and understanding the risks and warning signs of lithium-ion battery failure, you can reduce the risk of e-scooter fires. Let’s take a look at these topics in more detail.

Purchase from a reputable supplier

While many people use e-bikes and e-scooters safely, the Government highlights that the risk of fire increases if these vehicles are:

– Non-compliant (e.g. don’t meet safety rules)

– Counterfeit

– Damaged

– Poorly manufactured

– Used with an incompatible charger

– Modified or repaired with non-compatible parts (e.g. chargers, motor or battery)

It’s therefore important to make sure that you purchase from a reputable supplier to ensure compliance with safety regulations and a high build quality. In particular, check e-bikes and e-scooters for the UKCA or CE mark, which are required by UK product safety regulations.

Take good care of your e-scooter

In our guide to gadget electrical safety, we share some top tips that can help you to reduce the risk of fire caused by faulty or fake devices, many of which apply to e-scooters. It’s also important to know how to properly maintain, store and charge your e-scooter to keep it safe.

Top tips include:

– Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging the battery and use the correct charging cable

– Don’t overcharge the battery, and make sure to unplug the it after charging

– Regularly check the battery for signs of damage, and never modify or tamper with it

– Never charge the battery unattended or while you’re asleep

– Always charge the battery away from combustible or flammable materials

– Ensure that you have a working smoke or heat alarm wherever you charge or store your e-bike or e-scooter

– Never charge or store your e-bike or e-scooter where it may block an escape route

Understand the risks of lithium-ion batteries

Understanding the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and how to minimise them is extremely important. This includes being able to recognise the signs that the battery may be about to fail, replacing it in a timely manner, and responsibly disposing of the old battery.

The signs of lithium-ion battery failure include:

– Increased charging time or inability to charge

– Rapid discharge of power or unexpected power-offs

– Quickly losing its charge, even when not in use

– Overheating during use or charging

– Swelling or bulging of the battery case