Uber Eats and LFB team up to tackle e-bike fires

3 hours ago

Amy Clarke

News image — London Fire Brigade and Uber Eats launched the partnership to help better inform riders

LFB An e-bike is parked in between bike railings with a large green Uber Eats bag attacked to the back of it. In the background, a red London Fire Brigade fire engine is parked behind a grey marquee. — London Fire Brigade and Uber Eats launched the partnership to help better inform riders

Uber Eats and London Fire Brigade (LFB) are teaming up to provide guidance to delivery drivers on safe charging after a record number of e-bike and e-scooter fires in the capital last year.

The partnership aims to inform riders about potential fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries and offers training for couriers which can be accessed via the Uber Eats platform.

In 2025 (Jan - Dec), there were a record 206 e-bike fires in London.

In the first four months of 2026, LFB tackled 56 e-bike fires and eight e-scooter fires.

LFB's deputy assistant commissioner, Richard Field, said that while cheaper products may appear attractive, "if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is".

The LFB launched its Charge Safe campaign in March 2023 to promote the safe use of batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters and help prevent fires.

Since 2023, three people have died in fires confirmed to have been caused by an e-bike.

There were three more deaths involving e-bikes last year but the cause of death has not yet been determined by the coroner, the LFB said.

London Fire Brigade A burnt out room with bits of blackened debris. The wall can be seen split into pieces and scattered across the ground. The windows are also blown out. — The aftermath of a fire in Hither Green which was found to be caused by a failing battery in an e-scooter

Field added: "Our firefighters have seen first-hand the devastating consequences when owners buy unsafe products online.

"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."

He said the training was vital for riders, as more delivery drivers rely on "this greener mode of transport to get around London in a fast and efficient way".

New laws introduced last year will give the government powers to hold online marketplaces accountable for the products they sell.

LFB would like this to go a step further and urges swift regulation to ensure only safe products, including lithium-ion batteries and e-bike conversion kits, are sold online.

UberEats' general manager for the UK, Merve Basci, said: "While we encourage the transition to electric travel, it is essential that anyone using e-bikes does so in line with the highest safety standards."

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