The London Fire Brigade (LFB) and Uber Eats have launched a new educational partnership aimed at improving battery safety awareness and reducing the risk of fires among delivery couriers. The initiative builds on the LFB’s established #ChargeSafe campaign and will provide riders with access to expert guidance on the safe use, storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries.

Merve Basci, general manager for the UK at Uber Eats, stated: “Partnering with the London Fire Brigade on the #ChargeSafe campaign is a vital pillar of our work to protect couriers and the communities we serve. While we encourage the transition to electric travel, it’s essential that anyone using e-bikes does so in line with the highest safety standards. This revamped education engages couriers directly, giving them the tools they need to source and use their e-bikes responsibly as we work together to keep London safe.”

Devastating consequences

Richard Field (Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the London Fire Brigade) explained: “We’re really pleased to have this opportunity to partner with Uber Eats. We launched our #ChargeSafe campaign back in March 2023 when we started to see a rise in the number of e-bike and e-scooter fires. Sadly, the number of such fires rose last year to the highest level since the campaign began. The worrying data means we need to ensure that every e-bike user has access to our important safety information to help curb this alarming trend.”

Field went on to comment: “Our firefighters have seen first-hand the devastating consequences when owners buy unsafe products online. Cheaper products might look like a ‘bargain’, but if a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is. When buying and using e-bikes, we ask that owners think carefully and educate themselves about the fire safety risks in order to keep themselves and those around them safe.”

Strong regulation

Many delivery riders depend on e-bikes and other electrically assisted vehicles to travel efficiently across London while supporting a more sustainable transport network. However, the continued rise in incidents involving lithium-ion batteries highlights the need for stronger regulation and enforcement to prevent unsafe and non-compliant products from reaching the market. Effective regulation, combined with greater awareness of safe charging practices, is essential to reducing the risk of battery-related fires and protecting both riders and the communities in which they operate.

“Those that rely on e-bikes for work,” noted Field, “need to be protected from harm and be confident that they’re not bringing a fire safety risk into their homes at the end of the working day.”

In conclusion, Field said: “This training is vital to educate everyone on the best way to keep safe, not only for the riders themselves, but also the community as a whole.”

*Further information is available online at www.london-fire.gov.uk/chargesafe

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