Sadiq Khan has cautioned Londoners against purchasing e-bikes and e-scooters during Black Friday sales, despite their availability in the capital. 

The warning coincides with the surge in annual discounts, enticing many to buy these electric vehicles for the first time. While e-bikes and e-scooters offer eco-friendly travel options, concerns over significant fire risks remain. 

E-bikes have been part of London’s transport landscape since October 2022, when Transport for London included them in the Santander Cycles scheme. However, the London Fire Brigade reports a worrying rise in incidents, responding to 124 e-bike and 24 e-scooter fires in the city so far this year.

In response to the growing fire hazards, the London Mayor posted on X, saying: “E-bikes offer an easy, sustainable way to get around London.

“But with Black Friday and Cyber Monday fast approaching, London Fire Brigade is urging Londoners to be mindful when purchasing these vehicles. E-bike battery charging is one of the fastest growing causes of fires in London.”

According to the London Fire Brigade, e-bikes and e-scooters are some of the biggest causes of fires due to their batteries with research finding that one fire is seen every two days.

The fires mainly occurred when the vehicles were charging inside homes, with the batteries subsequently overheating and causing a fire.

The warning follows a similar message issued by other local authorities across the UK, with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council also urging riders to be careful when buying a bike or scooter.

In a statement to residents, the council noted an increase in the number of fires related to lithium batteries which has quadrupled in the last three years.

In October, the Office for Product Safety and Standards launched a new safety campaign to help crack down on the number of fires.

The campaign aimed to help raise awareness about the dangers of buying faulty and unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters, urging riders to only buy from official regulated sites.

Product Safety Minister Justin Madders said: “E-bikes can be a great way to travel around the city, but we’ve all seen the tragic stories of unsafe e-bikes and e-scooters causing dangerous fires and taking lives.

“That’s why we’re urging everyone to check what you’re buying, check where you’re buying it from and ensure it’s safe to use.”

Meanwhile, Craig Carter from the London Fire Brigade explained that while e-bikes and e-scooters are a sustainable way to travel, they can “pose a significant fire risk”.

He stated that many of the fires attended by the service have involved second-hand vehicles or bikes which have been modified using parts bought online.

Worryingly, Carter noted that due to there not being the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters sold via online marketplaces or auction sites “we cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standard”.

“We understand that people are trying to save money, but if you spot a deal that looks too be good to be true, it probably is,” he added.