Read our advice on how to stay safe.

E-scooters and e-bikes have been a very popular way for people to get around. Although most are manufactured to very high standards, there are unfortunately safety issues related to these forms of transport.

The batteries that power them, are usually:

• Lithium-ion (Li-ion): These batteries are popular for their high energy density and long lifespan. However, they can overheat and potentially catch fire if damaged or mishandled.

• Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH): Although less common, NiMH batteries are considered safer than Li-ion batteries, albeit with a lower energy density.

There have been a number of fires cause recently by e-scooter and e-bike batteries, especially related to thermal runaway. Li-ion batteries are at risk of thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is when a battery overheats and can't stop getting hotter, which can lead to fires or explosions. According the Office for Product Safety and Standards:

“At least 10 fatalities occurred in fires started in e-bikes or e-scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries in the UK in 2023, with almost 200 fires recorded.”

RoSPA advises the following:

• Charge properly. Always use the charger supplied by the manufacturer, and disconnect the charger, once charging has completed. Follow the advice from the Office for Product Safety and Standards here

• Check for battery damage. If the battery has ‘swollen’, smells unusual, or shows signs of damage, stop using immediately, and dispose of safely and responsibly

• Store and charge safely. Do not charge e-bikes and e-scooters near to ‘escape routes’ in your home or anywhere else you charge

• Check if the product itself it safe – If buying second-hand, has the bike been modified anyway? Incompatible parts, or motors or other parts that exceed legal limits can make the product unsafe

• Is the product legal? There are rules around how powerful e-bikes can be, and where e-scooters can be used.

RoSPA recommends only buying e-scooters and e-bikes from reputable retailers, and ensure that the product carries the UKCA mark or CE mark. This is the manufacturer declaring that the product conforms to the required health and safety requirements.

“When using an e-scooter or e-bike, it’s important to do it in a safe and responsible way. The authorities continue to tackle illegal and irresponsible e-scooter and e-bike use. When charging the e-scooter and e-bike, always check the condition of the charger, cables and the battery itself. Don’t allow the battery to overcharge, and make sure that your escape routes aren’t blocked.”
 

Adrian Simpson, Head of Policy and Press, RoSPA 

Adrian Simpson is Head of Policy and Press at RoSPA. He joined RoSPA in August, from the British Retail Consortium, where he helped UK retailers to sell safe and compliant products. Before this, he held numerous roles within trading standards services. He is a Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner and a Non-Executive Director of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute