LFB works with Deliveroo and Amazon on #ChargeSafe messaging

The #ChargeSafe campaign is designed to raise awareness about how people can reduce the risk of fire from e-bikes and e-scooters. The collaboration with Amazon and Deliveroo is ensuring that those who buy and use these products are receiving important safety advice.

On 13 August, Deliveroo riders visited Shoreditch Fire Station for the latest of Deliveroo’s Rider Roadshows. Riders had the opportunity to speak to firefighters and were shown videos of e-bike fires to demonstrate how quickly these fires can spread and how ferocious they can be. They were also given guidance about how they can use their device safely, including around charging and storage.

In the months leading up to the event, LFB has also attended several other Deliveroo Rider Roadshows, including in Ealing, Wimbledon and Marble Arch, duly talking to riders about the #ChargeSafe campaign.

Safety tips

Online marketplaces have become a common outlet for purchasing products for e-bikes and e-scooters, but the LFB is not as confident that all products available – such as conversion kits, batteries and chargers – have been built to the required safety standard.

Thanks to a collaboration with the Brigade, when someone buys an e-bike, e-scooter or accessory such as a battery pack, conversion kit or charger from Amazon, they will receive an e-mail notification with easy-to-understand tips on how to use and store them safely.

Customers can also find the #ChargeSafe advice along with other safety tips from experts on Amazon while they shop.

As well as providing more effective safety information, Amazon also requires businesses selling e-bikes, e-scooters and accessories to provide documented testing carried out by an accredited laboratory in addition to requiring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Fast-growing fire risk  

Craig Carter, LFB assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, explained: “e-bikes and e-scooters are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks so it’s extremely positive that organisations such as Amazon and Deliveroo have recognised the part they can play to support our award-winning #ChargeSafe campaign.”    

Carter continued: “We know that food delivery riders are among those who use e-bikes to travel sustainably across the capital. That’s why it’s great to be partnering with Deliveroo on events like this in order to engage riders directly and educate them on how they can use their e-bike safely.”

Further, Carter stated: “Meanwhile, the post-purchase product alerts now sent by Amazon mean that #ChargeSafe messaging is sent directly to customers providing crucial safety advice about how to charge devices correctly and the importance of keeping escape routes clear. We encourage all companies with an interest in e-bikes to take the same approach to ensure safety advice is reaching even more people.”

Highest safety standards  

Paul Bedford, director of policy and sustainability at Deliveroo, explained: “At Deliveroo, the safety of our riders is a top priority. We’re proud to partner with the London Fire Brigade on its #ChargeSafe campaign. We support riders who want to use sustainable vehicles while riding with us, but it’s so important those who sell this equipment ensure that it meets the highest safety standards.”

In conclusion, Bedford highlighted: “Our Rider Roadshows provide a fantastic platform to engage with riders directly on how they can use their e-bikes safely and responsibly. Together, we can reduce the risk of fires and promote a safer environment for all e-bike users in London.”

Rajdeep Datta, director for ‘Trustworthy Shopping Experience’ at Amazon, commented: “The safety of customers is our top priority. Having expert tips delivered direct to customers, which are short and easy-to-understand, can increase awareness and minimise risks. We believe that initiatives like this, which bring together organisations such as London Fire Brigade and Amazon, can provide more effective product safety advice and keep customers safe.”