The UK cycling sector has launched an e-bike battery educational campaign to boost safety knowledge and combat misinformation.
Titled the ‘E-bike Positive Campaign’, the alliance comes after cycling marketing agency Shift Active Media found that 23% of the UK are hesitant to buy an e-cycle after reading about battery fires, and 25% worry about charging batteries nearby.
Cycling UK, the Bicycle Association, the Association of Cycle Traders and Bosch eBike Systems are amongst the campaign’s key members which aims to overcome cycling discouragement related to battery fears.
“The main cause of e-bike and battery fears is the increasing coverage – both in the media and online social channels – of fires linked to unsafe e-bike batteries and chargers, which has the overall effect of damaging the reputation of all e-bikes,” Association of Cycle Traders Director Jonathan Harrison told Zag Daily.
“In most cases, these unfortunate incidents are caused not by certified OEM e-bikes but by uncertified, aftermarket batteries imported to the UK, purchased via online auction sites or unapproved retailers. It is this misconception of all e-bikes being unsafe that jeopardises the growth of e-bikes as a highly beneficial, sustainable transport solution.”
The E-Bike Positive campaign – the biggest ever UK campaign for e-bike battery education according to Shift Active Media – involves initiatives such as its E-Bike Positive retailer pledge which 200 local bike shops have signed up to support high-street shoppers in the UK.
It also supports a UK cycling industry reputable supplier scheme which highlights e-bike brands who have thoroughly tested their e-bikes and batteries. Educational resources will be shared by the campaign to consumers, media, bike shops and mechanics, and the alliance will also push for legislative measures from policymakers to protect consumers and businesses against risky e-bike products.
“Reputable e-bikes are generally very safe, but fires caused overwhelmingly by high risk products are damaging the whole sector. This campaign will support people to choose safe e-bikes, but it’s also vital that the government tackle high fire risk products – both the supply and the demand,” the Bicycle Association’s Technical and Policy Director Peter Eland said.
To tackle supply, Peter calls for the government to strengthen import controls on unsafe electric products which can come from overseas online marketplaces. He advocates for measures taken to be in line with the proposals set out by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Last month, a ‘Product Safety and Metrology Bill’ was announced in the King’s Speech to address the fire risks associated with e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries.
To address a driver of demand, the Bicycle Association calls on the government to use workers’ right legislation to require that ‘gig economy’ delivery app operators provide their riders with safe and legal e-bikes.
“We urge the government to proceed as soon as possible to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework for micromobility devices including e-scooters, so that these can be properly regulated in all aspects, including legal use and fire safety.”
Battery safety advice for readers
Bosch eBike systems, a member of the campaign, has shared the safety checks shoppers should look for when buying e-bike batteries.
“Apart from buying high quality products, batteries should be handled carefully in general. For example, it should not be stored near heat sources and should not be cleaned with a direct jet of water or even a high-pressure cleaner. Before charging, the battery should be checked for visible damage and charged at an ambient temperature between 0 and 40 °C,” Bosch eBike Systems Head of Battery Packs Business Unit Dr Thorsten Ochs told Zag Daily.
“Furthermore make sure the environment is dry, a smoke detector is present and there are no combustible materials near the battery. The charger must match the battery. This helps to protect the battery from damage and prevents dangers such as overheating or overcharging. Apart from that, the connector terminals should also be cleaned and lightly greased from time to time.
“Further information and guidance on battery care and end-of-life handling can also be found in the instruction manual, on the Bosch eBike Systems website and in brochures like our eBike Battery Guide, which is also available for download.”
