E-bike safety
Safely charging and storing an e-bike or electric scooter in your home.
We’re urging customers to be aware of the potential dangers posed by the lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.
An e-bike battery caused a fire at one of our tower blocks in Salford, which gutted the 10th floor flat and resulted in the building being partially evacuated. Thankfully no one was injured, but the outcome could have been very different.
We’ve carried out extensive building safety improvements to all our tower blocks, which helped ensure the fire was contained to the flat where it originated.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has seen a rise in e-bike related fires, and we are seeing more of our tenants owning and using e-bikes and e-scooters, so we want to ensure people are taking the necessary steps to ensure you’re not putting people’s lives or homes at risk.
Following this advice can help keep yourself, your home and your neighbours safe from the potential dangers of e-bike or electric scooter batteries.
Safety advice
- Never charge your electric bikes or scooters while you’re sleeping or not at home
- Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging
- Never block your escape route with your e-bike or scooter
- Never tamper with the battery and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Ensure your battery and charger meets UK safety standards and always use the correct charger
- Never cover your charger as this could lead to it overheating or setting on fire
Be wary of DIY kits to convert a standard bike into an e-bike
Most e-bikes and e-scooters on the market in the UK bought from reputable manufacturers meet the stringent safety regulations, but many of the safety issues are arising from converter kits, which are lithium-ion battery packs designed to convert a standard bike to an e-bike.
There are growing concerns about these converter kits sold online, which do not meet UK safety regulations and present an increased fire risk.
Live in a high-rise building?
During an emergency, such as a fire, the lifts will not be working, which means you must leave the building using the stairs.
If you have any mobility issues, medical conditions or disabilities that may prevent you evacuating your home without assistance, it’s important that you tell us, so we can put the right support in place for you.
Fill in our Evacuating in an Emergency Form
Further advice
E-bike and e-scooter safety information from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
GM Fire and Rescue Service
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