eBay is to ban the private sale of electric bikes on its platforms amid concerns over a rise in battery fires. The Telegraph has the story.
The online auction site will only allow “eligible business sellers” to market e-bikes from October 31st.
The popularity of battery-assisted pedal bikes has boomed in recent years. However, safety campaigners have raised concerns over a spate of fires from their lithium-ion batteries.
Fire chiefs warned that e-bike fires had climbed more than 70% in 2023. The London Fire Brigade reported around 150 incidents, which resulted in three deaths and 60 injuries.
There have been warnings about bikes with faulty batteries and chargers being sold online as well as illegal models with more powerful motors being offered for sale. Victims have also included those buying online conversion kits that do not comply with the same standards as factory-made e-bikes. more
If you can’t pedal a bike it’s time to start walking.
Slow, short walks to start gradually working up to further walks at a quicker pace
Once that becomes comfortable it’s time to ride your bike.
Slow, short trips at fir………..
Remember that poor bastard that got incinerated in an elevator when he carried his ebike battery in with him?
Now apartments, landlords, businesses, etc. just need to start banning them for the safety of their other residents, etc.
They put an electric motor on damn near everything these days.
Skateboards, Razors, wheelchairs, lawnmowers, power tools, dildos, grocery carts, etc.
Wait, what?
I looked into getting one but after seeing the warnings about fire and seeing the bike shop fire that killed a family I decided no way. Also when you have to replace the battery it can cost $700 or more.
If you ain’t smart enough to safely operate a bicycle, you should NOT be voting.
We’ve had ’em around here, scooters and bikes, when the juice runs out they dump them by the side of road or wherever. Most of the riders don’t wear any safety equipment, not even a helmet. They’ll disappear when the snow starts to fly.
Tell em to use their shanks mares and try to figure out what shanks mares are. Hat tip to my grandfather who told me what shanks mares were back in the early 60’s. And besides walking never killed anyone and you don’t need safety equipment and it’s free.
geoff – Fun Facts To Know And Tell:
When the battery shuts down, there’s still enough power left to illuminate the “Walk MthrFkr” idiot light…