Source: eBike Tips

Wheels for Wellbeing has expressed significant concern regarding the potential bans on e-cycles by various UK organizations, including Transport for London (TfL), several NHS trusts, and other public entities.

These groups are contemplating prohibiting e-cycles from being parked or utilized on their premises, while insurers and landlords are increasingly withdrawing permission for e-cycles to be stored in residential settings.

The charity argues that such bans on e-cycles in public areas and the indirect prohibition in private homes through insurance and tenancy agreements are “inappropriate, disproportionate, and discriminatory,” especially given the low fire risk associated with legally compliant e-cycles, as acknowledged by both the government and fire services.

Wheels for Wellbeing emphasizes that restricting e-cycles from homes, public transport, and key locations due to a minimal fire risk overlooks the critical role these vehicles play as mobility aids for many disabled individuals, who often lack alternative transportation options.

In December 2021, TfL implemented a ban on e-scooters across its entire public transport network, although e-bikes are not currently included in this restriction. Recent reports indicate that some insurers are refusing coverage for e-bike retailers due to concerns over fire hazards, despite many bike shops opting not to service unbranded or unknown battery packs.

In a recent statement, Wheels for Wellbeing urged organizations to review the Department for Transport’s fire safety guidelines regarding e-cycles. They are advocating for employers and landlords to develop policies on e-cycle usage and storage that effectively address legitimate safety concerns related to illegal and modified e-cycles, without compromising the mobility of disabled individuals.

Insurers are urged to differentiate between safe, reputable, and legally CE marked e-cycle electrical sets and those that are dangerous, untested, and illegal.

The recent King’s Speech introduced a bill aimed at mitigating the fire hazards linked to e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries, a move that has been positively received by Electrical Safety First (ESF) and the Bicycle Association (BA). This legislation targets “unscrupulous overseas suppliers” who distribute unsafe products through online platforms.

Wheels for Wellbeing expressed to ebiketips their strong support for reasonable measures to curb the sale and use of hazardous and illegal batteries and devices. However, they caution that imposing restrictions or bans on the use and storage of safe, legal e-cycles by landlords, insurers, employers, and service providers would be excessive and could lead to more harm than good.

They emphasized the need for any fire risk reduction measures to be based on evidence, proportionate, and properly focused.

The charity is advocating for regulations to be expedited to combat the influx of dangerous, illegal e-motorcycle kits, modification kits, and substandard, unsafe spare parts entering the UK. Additionally, they urge the government to address the exploitation of gig economy delivery riders, who have been identified as a high-risk group for e-cycle fires in government guidance.

They are calling on the government to revise regulations so that large organizations employing gig economy riders are held accountable for the safety and legality of the cycles and motorcycles used by these workers.