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23 Sep 2024

Cycling Electric has published  an investigation into how misinformation on ‘electric bike’ fires imay be increasing the danger to consumers and affecting sales of...

19 Sep 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said the inflation rate holding steady at 2.2% in August provides some stability for the high street - but stresses the Bank of England...

17 Sep 2024

UK Finance and others who form the Cash Industry Environment Charter have been discussing best practices when it comes to cash deposits, and as a result have produced a short guide on reducing...

9 Sep 2024

It is with great sadness that we bring news that Peter Stow of Stows Cycles has sadly passed away on 14th August 2024 at the age of 80.

9 Sep 2024

A new community bike partnership initiative in North Lanarkshire is aiming to help keep more people moving.

9 Sep 2024

The Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) has revealed a strategic partnership with Bikebook. Aimed at driving more business to ACT members, the partnership is also designed to equip them with...

9 Sep 2024

A bike shop, where prisoners and prison leavers can learn skills which will help them find work, has opened for business.

9 Sep 2024

Demand for bikes has soared following Britain’s strong performance in the Olympic cycling events in Paris, new research suggests.

3 Sep 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has responded to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for August 2024. The report, which can be downloaded here, has highlighted: 

28 Aug 2024

Bikmo, a leading cycling insurtech, and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT), the UK’s largest and most established cycle trade membership organisation, have announced they are entering...

Cycling Electric investigation on how misinformation on ‘electric bike’ fires is increasing the danger to consumers

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Cycling Electric has published  an investigation into how misinformation on ‘electric bike’ fires imay be increasing the danger to consumers and affecting sales of e-bikes across the UK.

Cycle electric

The article, which you can read here, says that a lot of the confusion is centred around the topic of e-bike conversions, “which is less than ideal given that so many of the incidents that have garnered negative press attention have involved conversions that haven’t been carried out safely or professionally. 

The investigation reports ambiguity in fire brigades’ recording relating to legal vs illegal bikes, which in turn is exacerbating poor reporting in the media. This is being fed by a growth in illegal aftermarket modifications and poor-quality imports. 

For example, the article cites most recent London Fire Brigade data for this year, showing 46% or 74 of 161 fires labelled ‘e-bike’ were, in fact, post-market conversions and nearly 30% of an unknown origin. 14% (29) were believed to have been manufactured goods, a lower proportion than the 36 e-scooter incidents.

The article goes on to say that, as two specialist e-bike insurers have now established, e-bike fires are no more likely than car fires. The CEO of ACT partner Bikmo, one of those insurers, is quoted as saying electric bike fire headlines ‘create more panic than the data backs up’.

In terms of media coverage the piece says that, “intentional or not, the misrepresentation of electric bikes in the media has consequences. A survey of UK bike shop staff discovered that 95% have dealt with customer concerns about e-bike battery fires. As such 25% of bike retail businesses believe these concerns have negatively impacted their ability to trade. 

On the consumer side around 23% of UK adults are said to be reluctant to buy an electric bike after hearing about battery fires, while 25% worry about the safety of charging e-bike batteries at home.”

To read the whole article, click here.

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As an industry, we must act now to distinguish our safer, reputable products from the high-risk ones causing these incidents. The 'E-Bike Positive' campaign's mission is to educate the general public to make informed purchase decisions, avoid the risks and be encouraged to enjoy the many benefits of e-bikes for transport or leisure.

We need to promote positive and proactive messaging around e-bike safety, addressing recent concerns and emphasising our commitment to consumer well-being.

Pledge your commitment and be listed as an E-Bike Positive retailer now

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