Cycle safety starts with certified parts
Isabelle Crow
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Adrian Simmonds, Practice Leader at QBE, outlines why lithium-ion battery incidents demand regulatory reform, education and risk management strategies
What’s behind the recent increase in e-bike fires in the UK?
The recent increase in e-bike fires is being caused by the rapidly rising popularity of electric transportation, from bikes to scooters and others, mostly powered by lithium-ion batteries. We understand that most purpose-built and certified manufactured e-bikes and e-scooters are safe when used properly, but we’re seeing a significant number of incidents with uncertified products. These can be converted bikes where an uncertified battery is attached, or simply where improper charging devices are used.
QBE research showed that in 2023 alone, UK fire services recorded 270 e-bike fires, up 70% from the previous year.
Adrian Simmonds
Many of these fires were caused by batteries that were improperly manufactured or altered in ways that weren’t originally intended that compromised their safety.
Increased online availability of unsafe counterfeit components including e-bike conversion kits and batteries are increasing the risk of e-bike fires. E-bay recently changed its policy so that only certified manufactured e-bikes can be sold on its ecommerce platform.
There is also a lack of awareness about safe charging protocols, proper storage of batteries and importantly, maintenance and disposal. We are at a crucial tipping point where safety regulation, better education an online sellers accountability is playing catch up with demand for these devices.
Why do lithium-ion battery fires present more challenges than other types of fires?
Once thermal runaway begins, it cannot be reversed. These fires ignite in a unique way and are different to ordinary combustion fires, producing extremely high heat, flammable vapours, and smoke that is extremely toxic.
They can be sudden, incredibly ferocious and are prone to reigniting even after being extinguished, making them harder to manage than traditional fires. Firefighters often require specialist training and equipment to safely handle these incidents. For building occupants and emergency responders, the risks of injury and property damage are significantly heightened. This is why understanding how these fires behave is such a critical part of risk management.
What role do conversion kits and uncertified chargers play in raising the risk?
Conversion kits and uncertified e-bike batteries and chargers can pose a serious fire risk through a process known as thermal runaway as explained above. These kits often involve retrofitting regular bikes with components that weren’t designed to work together, and the batteries used frequently lack essential safety certifications. For example, there might be no overcharge protection, no thermal cut-offs, and no knowledge of how the parts will behave when in use over time.
This is why it’s important to regulate online marketplaces where unsafe batteries and conversion kits can be purchased more cheaply than safer counterparts.
Adrian Simmonds
TfL has highlighted this issue in their decision to ban non-foldable e-bikes from the network, stating that converted cycles pose a greater fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes, but it’s difficult to tell them apart visually. From a QBE perspective, these types of conversions represent a significant and unnecessary risk. We advise clients to stick with certified products from reputable retailers and avoid mixing or modifying parts.
From a fire safety perspective, what do consumers need to know about storing and charging e-bikes?
We advise consumers to only buy electric transport devices from reputable retailers that provide the appropriate certifications and is properly regulated. It’s essential to only use the battery charger that comes with the device because incompatible chargers can lead to overcharging or overheating, which is where the real danger lies.
If you are charging a lithium-ion battery at home, do not do so in hallways, corridors, or entrance ways to flats, homes or offices, as these are potential escape routes in the case of fire.
Adrian Simmonds
If you must charge indoors, choose a room without soft furnishings, like a kitchen or ideally a locked garage or shed away from any combustibles like gas cylinders or cardboard boxes. Make sure there’s a working smoke detector or at least a heat detector. Do not leave devices charging when you’re asleep, and always unplug once fully charged. If a battery has been impacted, for example if the devices it is in has been dropped, then there’s a chance the battery has been damaged and the fire risk goes up, so it should be checked out or replaced.
What steps can building owners or businesses take to reduce these risks?
Businesses that make, use or sell lithium-ion devices need to be aware of what that technology entails and the associated fire hazards. Charging should preferably be done in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or a heat source. Buildings should have a working smoke detector or at least a heat detector installed in these areas. Plug chargers into a power supply that has circuit breaker protection. Businesses should also educate occupants or staff on safe charging practices and only use the battery charger that comes with the device.
What sort of regulatory changes would you like to see introduced?
We support the Department for Business and Trade’s proposed Product Regulation and Metrology Bill and advocate for third-party safety certification to address these pressing safety concerns. One of the most important steps is ensuring products meet essential safety certifications such as the CE mark.
The lithium-ion batteries used in uncertified rogue e-bikes and e-scooters frequently lack essential safety certifications, leaving consumers unaware of potential fire hazards.
At QBE, we’ve also called for greater oversight of unregulated imports and unsafe online sales, particularly when it comes to e-bike conversion kits and replacement chargers.
Adrian Simmonds
The rapid adoption of lithium-ion batteries has outpaced existing regulatory frameworks, and we believe now is the time for government, manufacturers, retailers and insurers to align and ensure that regulation provides clarity, traceability, and accountability across the supply chain.
How important is consumer education in preventing future incidents?
Consumer education is crucial; many people aren’t aware that e-bike fires are four times more likely to be caused by cheap unregulated imports of bikes and batteries. This is why we support awareness campaigns like the Department for Business and Trade’s “Buy Safe, Be Safe” initiative, which advises consumers to avoid rogue online sellers and prioritise safe purchases.
Shoppers should check for a CE mark, signifying a product complies with regulated standards and is less likely to pose risks such as overheating or electrical malfunctions. It’s also important to educate on charging, storage and disposal. For example, don’t charge your device in escape routes, only use manufacturer-provided chargers, never leave devices charging unattended or overnight and never dispose of lithium-ion batteries in general household waste, take them to your local recycling centre and place them in their dedicated rechargeable battery bins.
The sharp increase in fires linked to uncertified e-bikes and e-scooters is deeply concerning, and without proper awareness, these risks will only rise.