Comment on TFL to ban non folding e-bikes on its network

Responding to the news TFL is to ban non folding e-bikes on its network, Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, said: “Without regulation to prevent substandard versions of e-bikes, their batteries, chargers and conversion kits coming onto the market, the industry could face future blanket restrictions. Whilst reputable manufacturers produce high quality products that meet safety standards, more needs to be done to address the risk posed by substandard versions of these devices that are often linked to serious incidents. It’s vital the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill tackles this issue head on and mandates third-party certification for these products, to ensure only safe batteries and e-bikes can be sold on the UK market. Converted e-bikes can also pose a risk if they are made up of substandard or incompatible components, and converted incorrectly, which is why we are also calling for new safety standards to be introduced for these kits, to better tackle the issue.  Our proposals will better protect consumers, protect the reputable sector who already make safe devices, and help to weed out bad operators producing and selling dangerous substandard batteries.”