Deliveroo riders face ban for using illegal e-bikes as government urged to take action

Riders using illegal e-bikes at excessive speeds face being removed from Deliveroo, the delivery company has announced.

New technology is to be introduced by the firm to flag cases where a rider is travelling at speeds that a bicycle or a legal e-bike could not reasonably sustain. Where that happens, Deliveroo said it would get in touch with the rider about their vehicle.

Access to the platform would then be withdrawn if the rider had knowingly registered an incorrect vehicle, or if the problem carried on.

The move comes as part of a road safety campaign in which Deliveroo is urging the Government to stop unsafe conversion kits being sold to the public.

Such kits can be bought online and allow riders to fit motor and battery systems that go beyond legal limits on power or speed. Under UK law, e-bikes are required to meet safety regulations.

These include electric motors that only work when the pedals are turned, and that cut out once a speed of 15.5mph is reached. The motor must also have a maximum power output of 250 watts.

Paul Bedford, the company’s policy and sustainability director, said: “The safety of our riders and the public on the roads is a priority for us, and we take that responsibility incredibly seriously.

“That’s why we’re launching the Ride Safe campaign, in an effort to make our roads safer for everyone.

“We’re calling on the Government to go one step further and stop this problem at its source, because anyone can buy these kits, fit them to any bike, and put themselves and others at risk.

“We think our industry has a responsibility to lead on e-bike safety, and we want the law to catch up.”

The campaign has been welcomed by Transport for London and London Fire Brigade. Figures obtained by the Press Association show the fire brigade recorded 171 e-bike fires last year.

Fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters are often caused by the failure of batteries, conversion kits or chargers.

Products bought from online marketplaces carry a greater risk of malfunctioning than those sold by established retailers, because they are not subjected to the same level of regulation.

Richard Field, deputy assistant commissioner at London Fire Brigade, said: “We support this call from Deliveroo for a ban on the sale of unsafe conversion kits.

“Our firefighters are regularly attending very dangerous fires caused by converted push bikes.

“Lithium batteries on push bikes have caused a significant number of fires in London when they are poorly installed or use incompatible components, like chargers.

“We would always recommend getting a professional or competent person to carry out a conversion and make sure to buy a battery from a reputable seller and that it is not second-hand.”

Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, said: “Dangerous and non-compliant e-bike conversion kits pose a serious fire risk, and I strongly support action to stop them being sold online and on our high streets.

“I have seen the devastating consequences of unsafe e-bike batteries and equipment first-hand in my own constituency, and it is not something I want any other family to go through.”

The Department for Transport has been contacted for comment.