National Fire Protection Association: E-Bike and E-Scooter Battery Safety

The popularity of electric bikes and electric scooters (e-bikes and e-scooters) has taken off over the past few years.

E-bikes and E-Scooters are clearly here to stay, and are likely to become an increasing presence in our towns and cities over the years to come.

While there are still concerns surrounding safety, (see my previous TLS article, “Opinion: Murphy’s Law Legalized E-Bikes and E-Scooters Citing “Climate Change”, Not Safety Change”) which could be improved by better urban planning and greater awareness among both riders and other road users. In this article I address the increase in incidents of fires involving e-bike batteries, which indicates that better education regarding the correct way to charge and store these is needed.

Lithium-ion batteries are usually the source of power for both, and if not used correctly, or if damaged, those batteries can catch on fire or explode. Whether you use e-bikes or e-scooters as your main way of getting around, or just for fun, there are important safety tips to keep in mind when charging or storing these devices.

The Problem

Damaged or defective batteries can over-heat, catch fire, or explode.
Lithium-ion battery fires give off toxic gases and they burn extremely hot.

Follow These Directions To Keep You And Your Family Safe:

Only purchase and use devices, batteries, and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly.
Always follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
Only use the battery and the charger that were designed for, and came with, the device.
Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
Only charge one device or device battery at a time to prevent overloading the circuit.
Keep batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 32°F or above 105°.
Do not store batteries in direct sunlight or inside hot vehicles, and keep them away from children and liquids.
Store e-bikes, e-scooters, and batteries away from exit doors and anything that can get hot or catch fire.
Only have device repairs performed by a qualified professional.
Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is always the best option. Take the batteries to a battery recycling location or contact your local waste department for disposal instructions.

Signs of a Problem

Stop using the e-bike or e-scooter if you notice any of these problems with the battery: unusual odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge.

E-bike batteries are exploding, setting buildings on fire. There have been over 30 battery fires so far this year in New York City with four deaths.
According to the FDNY, last year, they ignited 216 fires—double the amount of the year before—resulting in 147 injuries and six deaths.
Lithium-ion batteries were the fourth leading cause of fire deaths in NYC last year, per the FDNY.

The number of blazes has been rising in tandem with the number of e-bikes sold: The US imported over 1 million last year, a gear shift up from 880,000 in 2021 and 450,000 in 2020, according to the Light Electric Vehicle Association.

What’s So Dangerous About An E-Bike Battery?

It’s about the batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are a Nobel-prize-winning invention that power everything from phones to computers to electric vehicles. These batteries are safe unless they’re faulty or damaged, and e-bikes and e-scooters are subject to a lot of hard use hauling commuters and delivery workers up and over NYC’s bridges.

The batteries are also expensive (about $300 each), so low-quality and secondhand alternatives, which are more likely to be defective, have flooded the market.

It’s unlikely an e-bike will spontaneously combust mid-ride beneath your butt. Instead, they become a hazard while in storage or when left unattended on a charger (where they overheat).

The fires they cause are nightmarish: Lithium-ion battery fires can engulf a room in about 15 seconds, per the UL Fire Safety Research Institute. In addition, the toxic gases they release make them especially difficult to put out.

E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety Tip Reminders

E-bikes and E-scooters are a fun and efficient way to travel, but they can be dangerous. Unsafe riding and collisions can cause serious injury or death. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends the following safety tips when riding an e-scooter:

WEAR A HELMET. Knee and elbow pads can also help to prevent injury from falls and collisions.
CHECK FOR DAMAGE. Before riding, ensure the handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tires, cables, and frame are in good condition. Damage to the e-scooter can cause you to lose control and crash.
TEST THE BRAKES. Make sure you know how to use the brakes and how long it takes to stop the e-scooter so you’re prepared for an emergency stop. Stopping distance can vary significantly from scooter to scooter.
ALERT OTHERS AND BE SEEN. E-scooters are small, quick, and silent, making it difficult for others to spot you, especially in parking lots and structures.Expect vehicles and pedestrians to not see you; slow down, and plan ahead of time.
Use the bell/horn to alert others.
Do not make abrupt, unpredictable movements.
WATCH OUT FOR OBSTACLES. Uneven surfaces, cracks, and small objects on your pathway can stop the e-scooter suddenly, throwing you off.
HANDS ON. Always keep both hands on the handlebars and keep items off the handlebars.
SLOW AND STEADY. Slow down and lean back when you have to ride over bumps.
ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
RIDE SOLO. Only one person per e-scooter; additional riders can increase the risk and severity of collisions.
AVOID DISTRACTIONS WHILE RIDING. Listening to music while riding is distracting and prevents you from hearing your environment. Same goes for talking on your phone, even with a hands-free device, because it can result in distracted operation of the scooter
NO STUNTS. Jumps and bumps can damage e-scooters and e-bikes and make it unstable. This can pose a risk not only to yourself but also to people around you and to the next rider.
FOLLOW ALL MANUFACTURER DIRECTIONS. Check the e-bike’s and e-scooter’s safety information, such as weight and age limits. Many e-scooters are designed specifically for adults because of the size and and speed of the scooter.
PARK CORRECTLY. The e-scooter and e-bike should be parked upright and away from pedestrian and motorist traffic so that it’s not a tripping hazard.
REPORT PROBLEMS. Use the service’s app to report any issues, such as signs of damage. You could end up saving the next rider’s life. Report any incidents with e-scooters to CPSC at Saferproducts.gov.
RIDE RESPONSIBLY FOR YOU AND OTHERS. Remember, many accidents can be prevented by simply slowing down! Always be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to stop.