Britons have been warned of a major e-bike safety initiative coming into effect next year as part of ambitious plans to reduce fatalities and collisions on UK roads.
The Bicycle Association and Association of Cycle Traders will assume joint control of the E-Bike Positive scheme from January 1, 2026, marking a pivotal shift in how the UK addresses electric bicycle safety concerns.
This transition represents the evolution of what has become the UK’s biggest e-bike campaign since its inception, aimed at protecting consumers.
The initiative seeks to guide the public towards purchasing secure e-bikes from trustworthy vendors throughout the country, while addressing growing concerns about battery safety and illegal modifications.
The scheme originated through Bosch eBike Systems’ partnership with the Bicycle Association, Association of Cycle Traders and Cycling UK, forming the Electric Bike Alliance, which unveiled the initiative in August 2024.
Initially designed to champion e-bikes as secure, cost-effective and beneficial transport options, the campaign also aims to raise alerts of the hazards posed by third-party lithium-ion power sources, charging equipment and retrofit systems.
Steve Garidis, executive director of the Bicycle Association, said: “We are delighted to formally adopt the E-Bike Positive campaign with our sister Association, the ACT. E-Bike Positive is an ideal umbrella to join up the vital cross-industry work needed to promote safe and legal e-bikes.”
Around 400 UK electric bicycle vendors have committed to the programme by pledging to exclusively trade and service lawful e-bikes.
The campaign calls on e-bike vendors to only sell and trade lawful e-bikes
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ELECTRIC BIKE ALLIANCE
The initiative offers complimentary safety materials, guidance and recommendations for consumers, riders, merchants, and journalists.
Educational efforts concentrate particularly on dangers associated with non-original lithium-ion power packs, charging devices and modification equipment that can transform standard bicycles into electric versions.
Jonathan Harrison, director of the Association of Cycle Traders, shared: “It’s great to see all the hard work behind E-Bike Positive over the past two years now moving to this next chapter.
“A big thank you to the retailers who’ve already committed to best practice as E-Bike Positive retailers.”
The London Fire Brigade warned that it attended roughly 18 e-bike and e-scooter-related fires every month
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LONDON FIRE BRIGADE
The scheme was designed to become an autonomous, sector-wide initiative under industry guardianship.
Chris Astle, UK marketing manager for Bosch eBike Systems, said: “When we first developed the E-Bike Positive campaign, it was always our goal to one day hand it over to the wider UK cycling industry, so we could be in collective control of safeguarding it.
“That collaboration will continue too, as it remains imperative to us that consumers are educated on battery safety – it’s something we take very seriously.”
The need for more support follows concerning reports of e-bike fires across the UK due to poor charging equipment.
London Fire Brigade warned that, on average, firefighters have responded to 18 fires a month throughout the year where an e-bike or e-scooter battery was the cause.
The force stated that purchasing an electric mobility vehicle from an online marketplace could pose a significantly higher fire risk due to the lack of regulation.
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “We have already tackled a record number of fires this year, which have been caused by either an e-bike or e-scooter. We urge Londoners to be careful when purchasing one of these items.
“As we have seen, these fires have devastating consequences – they are fast, explosive, toxic and can be fatal.”