Still Illegal, Still Unsafe – the continuing threat of illegal e-bikes
The meeting focused on the continuing safety and regulatory issues associated with illegal and modified e-bikes. The session reviewed progress since the APPGCW’s previous report and considered what further action is needed to help consumers identify safe products, restrict unsafe batteries and conversion kits, close the private-land-only loophole and strengthen accountability for online marketplaces and delivery platforms.
Speakers:
- Philip Darnton, Bicycle Association
- Jonathan Harrison, Association of Cycle Traders
- Micky Bhasin, London Fire Brigade
- Hannah Courts, Transport for London
- Tara Joe, Electrical Safety First
Cycle industry and E-Bike Positive
Philip Darnton and Jonathan Harrison said the cycle industry has continued to push for action on illegal and unsafe e-bikes. They highlighted the E-Bike Positive scheme, which now includes more than 30 verified brands representing around 80% of the legitimate market and more than 600 approved retailers. They argued that the industry can help consumers identify safe and road-legal products but cannot address the wider problem without government action on unsafe imports, online marketplaces and platform accountability.
London Fire Brigade
Micky Bhasin said e-bike and e-scooter battery fires remain a significant problem, with more than 100 incidents recorded so far this year. He outlined the Brigade’s Charge Safe work and recent outreach events with gig-economy riders, including practical advice on charging, storage and safer alternatives. The discussion highlighted affordability as an important factor influencing riders’ use of converted or privately owned vehicles.
Transport for London
Hannah Courts set out TfL’s concerns about both road safety and fire risk on the public transport network. TfL is working with London boroughs, the Metropolitan Police and delivery companies on information, enforcement and its road-safety charter. TfL called for stronger government action to restrict the supply of illegal vehicles, including closing the private-land-only loophole, strengthening battery testing, tackling unsafe conversion kits and increasing accountability for online marketplaces and delivery platforms.
Electrical Safety First
Tara Joe outlined Electrical Safety First’s research on online marketplaces, consumer behaviour and e-bike battery safety in the gig economy. Research across around 24,000 online electrical-product listings found indicators of likely non-compliance in one in 18 products. She argued that consumers often infer safety from signals such as reviews rather than independently assessing compliance and called for clear legal duties, minimum standards and meaningful penalties for online marketplaces.
Key issues raised in the discussion
- The need for government action across product safety, transport regulation and enforcement rather than relying on voluntary industry measures alone
- Support for stronger secondary legislation to prevent non-compliant batteries, chargers, conversion kits and illegal e-bikes reaching consumers through online marketplaces
- The need to close the private-land-only loophole and address the legal sale of conversion kits with switches and throttles that can enable illegal use
- Greater responsibility for delivery platforms to ensure riders use safe and road-legal vehicles, alongside wider concerns about rider safety, insurance and working conditions
- The importance of continued police enforcement, while recognising that enforcement alone cannot solve a problem driven by the ready availability of unsafe products
- Cross-party support for further parliamentary action, with members discussing both a Westminster Hall debate and a Backbench Business debate to maintain pressure on ministers