Key Points
- Newham Council urges Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to create a “food delivery charter” for e-bike riders.
- The charter would require delivery companies to provide safety guidance and ensure legal compliance of e-bikes.
- There has been a sharp rise in fires involving lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters in London.
- The London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded to 181 such fires this year, with Newham among the worst affected.
- Many fires stem from illegal or modified e-bike batteries, incompatible chargers, and counterfeit products sold online.
- Delivery companies Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat affirm their commitment to rider safety and cooperation with authorities.
- The mayor is considering expanding current motorcycle delivery safety charters to cover e-bikes.
- Similar charters exist in Greater Manchester, signed by major delivery firms, aiming to improve safety and compliance.
Rising Fires Prompt Calls for a Delivery E-Bike Safety Charter
Newham Council has called on the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, to introduce a formal “food delivery charter” to tackle the increasing number of fires involving electric bikes (e-bikes) used by delivery riders. These fires, often linked to faulty or illegal lithium batteries, have caused significant safety concerns across the capital.
As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) disclosed that it responded to 181 e-bike and e-scooter fires in London up to 29 October 2025, with six of those occurring in Newham alone. Newham consistently ranks among the boroughs most affected by such fires over recent years.
Why Is Newham Calling for a Food Delivery Charter?
In a report published by Newham Council following a two-year investigation into e-bike battery fire safety, the borough highlighted its “high concentration of food-delivery riders” reliant on e-bikes. The report raised concerns about some bikes being illegally modified or using unauthorized batteries, increasing fire risks.
Labour councillor Amar Virdee, responsible for community safety, stated to the Local Democracy Reporting Service:
“These fires are extremely dangerous and people need to be warned of the dangers. The trouble is that these illegal batteries are often a fraction of the price of legal ones.”
Newham Council recommends that the mayor leads the development of a charter specifically for food-delivery riders to ensure their bikes are safe and roadworthy. This would mirror a similar initiative launched by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which was signed by Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats in April 2025.
What Causes These E-Bike Fires?
According to the London Fire Brigade, most e-bike and e-scooter fires involve faulty or incompatible chargers, counterfeit batteries, and modifications made by rogue sellers online. Many of the batteries involved are either not road-legal or unsafe, significantly increasing the likelihood of fires.
The LFB spokesperson emphasised that these fires are not isolated incidents but part of a larger trend linked to cheap and unsafe products gaining popularity among riders seeking affordable options.
How Are Delivery Companies Responding?
Major delivery firms operating in London have emphasised their existing commitments to rider safety and compliance.
A Deliveroo spokesperson told BBC News that the company would welcome the opportunity to strengthen its existing e-bike and road safety practices across Greater London through an industry-wide charter. They added that all riders receive road safety guidance when they join, and Deliveroo regularly engages with riders through events and focus groups, often in collaboration with the London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police.
An Uber Eats representative said that the safety of both customers and couriers remains their top priority. The company supports further collaboration with fire and transport authorities to enhance vehicle safety awareness and is also developing additional educational modules for couriers. These new resources will focus on updated guidance around e-bike handling, maintenance, and battery safety.
Just Eat also emphasized its commitment to courier safety, explaining that the company provides regular reminders about the dangers of illegal e-bike modifications. As a signatory to both the Transport for London Road Safety Charter and the Transport for Greater Manchester Food Delivery Charter, Just Eat said it will continue to work closely with relevant authorities to promote safer practices for all road users.
What Is the Mayor of London Doing?
The Greater London Authority acknowledged the rising concern over e-bike and e-scooter fires. A spokesperson for Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said,
“The mayor, TfL and the London Fire Brigade continue to lobby government for clear national legislation and tougher product standards to ensure all e-bikes and e-scooters on London’s streets are safe and that those selling poor-quality products are held accountable.”
Sir Sadiq is reportedly considering expanding Transport for London’s existing motorcycle delivery charter to explicitly cover e-bikes. This charter currently includes pledges aimed at ensuring safe driving on London’s roads, and such an extension would bring e-bike safety into similar regulatory focus.
How Does This Compare to Greater Manchester’s Food Delivery Charter?
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority launched its food delivery charter in April 2025 to enhance rider safety and professionalism. Signed by key delivery firms including Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats, the charter requires companies to provide riders with guidance and support to ensure their bikes are compliant and roadworthy.
Newham Council sees this as a successful framework that could be adapted for London’s unique challenges, given the city’s higher density of riders and related incidents.
What Are the Key Recommendations?
Newham’s report stresses that to reduce the risks associated with e-bike fires, food delivery companies should:
- Provide clear, accessible guidance to riders on battery and e-bike safety.
- Support riders in acquiring legally compliant and safe e-bikes.
- Work with local authorities to monitor and prevent the use of illegal and unsafe equipment.
- Support education campaigns addressing the dangers of illegal modifications and counterfeit batteries.
Labour councillor Amar Virdee summarised the urgency:
“We need a comprehensive approach involving companies, authorities, and riders to curb the number of these dangerous fires.”
