electric bike and scooter warning after fire

A housing provider is warning people about the risks of not handling an electric bike or scooter safely.

County Durham-based believe housing, which manages more than 18,000 homes, has issued advice to customers following a fire at one of its properties.

The blaze started during engineering works involving a bike and set of lithium-ion batteries, which ignited. Though the occupant escaped without significant injuries, there was extensive damage caused to the property.

believe housing is now urging anyone who owns or wants to buy an electric bike or scooter to consider some key safety advice first.

Emma Jorgenson, Compliance Manager at believe housing, said: “These vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and if used safely they can have health, financial and environmental benefits.

“But it is vital that people know how to safely store and charge an e-bike before getting one and that they always follow the manufacturer’s advice.

“Failure to do so could lead to a fire and put themselves, loved ones, their home, and neighbours at risk.

“We have experienced this and, tragically, there have been significant and fatal incidents in other parts of the country involving lithium-ion battery powered vehicles.

“We desperately want to prevent this happening again.”

Many electric bikes and scooters are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are prone to overheating.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) echoed the housing association’s concerns and shared some safety advice.

Lee Aspery, Community Safety and Arson Reduction Manager for CDDFRS, said: “As the popularity for e-scooters and e-bikes grows, we’d like to remind people of the importance of having working smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially if you charge or store your e-bike or e-scooter inside.

“If you do charge them inside, avoid areas that lead to escape doors such as hallways, near the stairs or in a bedroom and living rooms.

“We’d also encourage people to charge the batteries while you are awake and alert so if a fire should occur you can respond quickly, and never leave batteries to charge while you are asleep or away from the home.

“Where possible, we would recommend using a timer unit so that the device is set to charge only when people are in the house and awake, or another option is buying a RCD, that will shut the power off if the RCD detects a drop in Amps to the e-bike or scooter.”