New e-bike safety campaign hopes to save lives
It comes two years after a man died trying to escape an e-bike fire, in Bristol
It's hoped a new campaign looking to improve e-bike safety will save lives and prevent millions of pounds being lost from the economy.
Cycling UK and the Association of Cycle Traders among other groups have come together to form the Electric Bike Alliance (EBA), as reports increase of fires being started by sub standard products.
New figures from the EBA show over half of UK adults (54 per cent) are aware of recent e-bike battery fires, with a fifth (23 per cent) of UK adults stating that they will not buy an e-bike due to these incidents. Moreover, a quarter (25 per cent) of UK adults surveyed now worry about e-bikes charging near them.
In that context the EBA is beginning the E-Bike Positive Campaign, which is creating a responsible e-bike retailer pledge and a register of safety checked e-bike and component brands.
The campaign encompasses support for consumers, education on the risks of buying & using high-risk third-party batteries, chargers and e-bike conversion kits, and expert advice to government.
You can find out more about the scheme via the Association of Cycle Traders website here.
The Twinnell House fire
Two years ago Afghan refugee Abdul Jabar Oryakhel lost his life trying to escape a fire in Bristol, which began when an e-bike on charge inside the flat he was in, malfunctioned.
Abdul was asleep on the top floor of Twinnell House in Easton when the fire began.
In June a coroner ruled that he fell out of a window by accident while trying to escape the flames and then called for more regulation around the sale of e-bikes and their batteries.
In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report Senior Coroner Mary Voisin said: "There appears to be a lack of understanding of the dangers with Lithium-ion batteries used for e-bikes and e-scooters.
"I understand that there is currently no British or European standard to control what lithium ion e-bike batteries and chargers can be sold in the UK."
Since being elected the new Labour government has announced plans for a Product Safety and Metrology Bill, which should address that issue, but its hoped the EBA campaign will go some way to helping in the meantime.
Speaking to us when the inquest into Abdul's death ended, Steve Quinton from the Avon Fire and Rescue Service, who gave evidence at the inquest, said people should not be alarmed.
"If you operate your e-bike, e-scooter, or anything involving a lithium ion battery safely, then they are safe," he said.
"There are obviously safety messages we like to give out around how you charge it, how you don't leave it unattended, make sure you use the right charger for the equipment.
"If it's damaged in any way, don't use it, dispose of it properly."
Among those backing the EBA campaign is Scott Peden from Cambridgeshire, who lost his partner and two children last summer when an e-bike exploded in their home.
He told Greatest Hits Radio: "It (the campaign) could make a massive difference.
"People need the knowledge to know where these things are safe to charge and when they need to be replaced instead of modified or left to let the battery get old, deteriorate and malfunction.
"I think it's a good thing, as long as they're giving people all the information, the pros, the cons and the dangers because these things can be dangerous if not used right."