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Electronic bikes (e-bikes) have been growing in popularity for some time now. An eco-friendly way to get around, these bikes offer multiple benefits for our health, fitness, and the environment. For adventure seekers, e-bikes can offer a great way to cover extra miles and discover new places.
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Lately, a growing number of reports have raised concerns about their safety. In particular, fires sparked by issues with their lithium-ion batteries have grabbed news headlines.
This weekend, an e-bike caught fire on a subway train in Toronto. The owner of the e-bike suffered serious, but not life threatening, injuries. He was swiftly taken to hospital for treatment.
Dramatic footage from an onlooker’s phone shows the fire, which took place while the train was at the station.
There has been an increase in the number of e-bike lithium-ion battery fires happening around the world, particularly those that have taken place at homes or on public transport.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reported more than 130 such fires in 2022.
Also in recent days, the fire service was called to a house fire, which started from a charging e-bike in Kent, England. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Image by David French
What Causes E-Bikes to Catch Fire?
Fires can be caused by the battery cell overheating or electrical failures. E-bike fires may also happen as the result of cheap and low quality manufacturing.
Image by G-Force Bike
How Can Fires Be Prevented?
There are a few ways to avoid problems with e-bike batteries.
According to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPT’s) website, there are several ways to minimize risks with such batteries. “First, if you are looking to buy one of these devices, only purchase ones that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly,” the NFPA says.
NFPA also offers this advice for e-bike users: “If you already own or use a device, don’t continue to charge the battery once it’s full, never use charging equipment that didn’t come with your device, and stop using your device if the battery shows signs of damage, such as an unusual odor or change in color. If your device needs repairs, have them performed by a qualified professional.”
