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29 Aug 2025

Pre-registration has now opened for the very first Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) show, taking place on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 September 2025 at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month...

20 Aug 2025

Cycling and active living charity Sustrans has claimed there is strong evidence that a lack of infrastructure is the biggest barrier to getting more people on bikes in Northern Ireland.

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases...

12 Aug 2025

Britain's high street crisis has deepened dramatically with nearly half of independent retailers, including many in the independent cycling retail sector, reporting sales have crashed compared...

11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports...

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.

1 Aug 2025

A number of ACT members and partners have been named among the final nominees for the 2025 BikeBiz Awards, which celebrate excellence across the UK cycle industry.

30 Jul 2025

A former student of South Africa’s Torq Zone Academy has taken a major step forward in cycling mechanic training after completing the prestigious UCI Level 3 Mechanics Course in Aigle,...

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"It is a bit of a wild west out there" in terms of safety, electric bike shop owner says

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

The widespread popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters means "it is a bit of a wild west out there" in terms of safety, an electric bike shop owner has told the BBC.

E-bike

Last month, a senior coroner called for government action over electric bike battery fires after the death of a man who was trying to escape a blaze at his home.

The Kings Speech promised better regulation of high-risk products such as lithium-ion batteries, which are found in these vehicles.

Welcoming the news, David Tod of ACT member Take Charge Bikes in Bristol said: "Some of the stuff on the internet isn't so safe. If you overcharge these batteries, they will continue to charge, and it will ultimately end in a volatile situation."

Safety campaigners hope that will mean a clampdown on online e-bike sellers.

Mr Tod has been selling e-bikes in his shop since 2010. He said he has seen a lot of bikes with electrical issues in his time.

"Unfortunately, I think there's a lot of cheap and cheerful bikes out there that look really, really pretty," he said.

"They seem to be quite well priced, but the manufacturing is slightly lacking in quality, especially in the battery areas and the chargers."

"Some people definitely tamper with the batteries and it's not a wise idea."

He recommends buying e-bikes and e-scooters from brick-and-mortar shops or a reputable online store.

He also said the UKCA trademark "guarantees that it's a good quality bike".

"The best advice is to go to a local bike shop that you know has experience with e-bikes," he said.

In 2018, Avon Fire and Rescue Service attended just three fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Last year that had increased to 53 calls for help, and so far this year firefighters have attended 40 calls involving the batteries.

The fire service has backed calls for tighter regulations and has issued safety advice.

  • Do not try to tackle a fire involving lithium-ion batteries yourself, dial 999 and ask for the fire service
  • Make sure you have smoke detectors that are tested on a regular basis
  • Do not charge lithium-ion batteries at night or in the room where you sleep
  • Think about how you will get safely from where you sleep out of the house and do not charge anything on that route
  • If you damage a battery, for example by crashing a bike, check it for signs of damage and replace it if you have any doubts
  • Do not charge a damaged battery
  • Use professional installers if you want to retrofit a bike with a battery and get second-hand items properly checked
  • Buy replacement chargers from a trusted retailer and never use a counterfeit charger

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