Newham Council Demands Food Delivery Firms Act on Surging E-Bike Fire Risks

As of November 7th, 2025, Newham Council in London is calling on food delivery companies to take urgent action to address the growing threat of e-bike fires. The council is seeking the development of a "food delivery charter" that would require firms like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat to provide riders with guidance and support to ensure their bikes are legally compliant and roadworthy.

The move comes in response to a sharp rise in the number of fires involving lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters across the city. According to the London Fire Brigade, they have responded to 181 such incidents so far in 2025, with six occurring in the Newham borough alone. Newham Council's report states that the borough has "a high concentration of food-delivery riders" and that a growing number are using e-bikes, some of which are believed to have been illegally modified.

The council's proposed charter is modeled after a similar initiative adopted by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority earlier this year. That agreement, signed by the major delivery firms, included a pledge to support riders in ensuring their bikes meet legal requirements. Newham hopes a London-wide version would compel companies to take a more proactive role in promoting e-bike safety.

The issue of e-bike and e-scooter fires is a growing concern, with many incidents linked to the use of incompatible chargers, unauthorized modifications, or counterfeit products purchased online. Newham Council warns that these illegal batteries are often significantly cheaper than legal alternatives, tempting some riders to take the risk. However, the consequences can be severe, with some of the fires proving fatal.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has indicated that he is considering expanding the city's existing motorcycle delivery charter to include e-bikes as part of efforts to address the problem. Transport for London and the London Fire Brigade are also continuing to lobby the government for clearer national legislation and tougher product standards to ensure the safety of all electric vehicles on the capital's streets.