New guidance has been issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) on how to buy, store and charge e-cycles and e-scooters safely.

It also reminds people that e-scooters cannot be used legally on roads unless they are part of an official rental trial.

Separate guidance has been issued to help public transport operators assess and manage fire risks associated with the carriage of e-bikes and e-scooters on trains and buses.

Similar information has been produced for those managing premises such as schools and workplaces. 

Technology and decarbonisation minister, Anthony Browne, said: “Safety has always been our top priority, which is why our latest guidance aims to improve the awareness of e-bike and e-scooter users in the trial areas where they’re authorised.”

To further understand the safety of the lithium-ion batteries used in e-cycles and e-scooters, the Office for Product Safety and Standard (OPSS) is currently conducting a safety study and taking enforcement action where unsafe products are found.

The DfT also says that the extension of e-scooter trials until May 2026 will also enable us to build on current learning across areas including usage, safety and environmental impacts, and to explore changing travel patterns since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Transport for London (TfL) banned all privately-owned e-scooters from London’s transport network in December 2021.

The decision has been driven by safety concerns following recent fires on TfL premises and services.