A new partnership between London Fire Brigade (LFB) and Uber Eats is taking aim at a growing safety risk in the capital: fires caused by e‑bike lithium‑ion batteries.
🔥 Why this matters
The rise in electric bike use—especially among delivery riders—has brought significant environmental and convenience benefits. But it has also led to an alarming increase in fire incidents.
- London Fire Brigade launched its #ChargeSafe campaign in March 2023 after seeing a sharp rise in e‑bike and e‑scooter fires [london-fire.gov.uk]
- Fire incidents reached their highest level on record in 2025 [london-fire.gov.uk]
- Hundreds of battery-related fires have highlighted the real dangers of unsafe chargers and low-quality products [ldd.news]
🤝 What the partnership is doing
The collaboration focuses on education and prevention, targeting the thousands of delivery couriers who rely on e‑bikes daily.
Key initiatives include:
- 📱 In-app training modules for Uber Eats couriers
- 🔋 Guidance on safe charging, battery storage, and maintenance
- ⚠️ Clear advice on spotting overheating or faulty batteries
- ✅ Emphasis on using compatible, certified chargers
These resources are being rolled out throughout 2026 to ensure riders have practical, expert-backed safety information. [fsmatters.com]
🗣️ What leaders are saying
Uber Eats UK General Manager Merve Basci highlighted the shared responsibility:
“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.” [fia.uk.com]
LFB Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Field added a stark warning:
“If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is… our firefighters have seen the devastating consequences of unsafe products.” [fia.uk.com]
⚠️ The bigger picture
The issue goes beyond individual users:
- Many fires are linked to cheap, unregulated batteries and chargers bought online [ldd.news]
- There are increasing calls for stronger regulation of lithium‑ion battery products [fia.uk.com]
- Delivery riders—who depend on e‑bikes for income—are disproportionately exposed to these risks
✅ Safety reminders for riders
The campaign reinforces simple but critical steps:
- Always use the correct charger
- Don’t charge batteries overnight or unattended
- Keep batteries away from flammable materials
- Stop using batteries that are hot, swollen, or emitting smoke
🌍 Why this partnership stands out
This initiative is a great example of public–private collaboration tackling a fast‑emerging urban safety challenge—combining:
- frontline fire service expertise
- platform-based education at scale
- a focus on protecting both riders and communities
👉 Bottom line: As cities electrify transport, safety education must keep pace. This partnership shows how targeted action can help prevent fires, save homes—and potentially save lives.
