Online Marketplaces Under Fire for Unsafe E-bike Sales
Popular online marketplaces Amazon and eBay are facing increasing scrutiny from UK Members of Parliament over the sale of potentially dangerous e-bikes and chargers. Concerns have been raised that these platforms are hosting listings for products that violate safety standards and exceed legal power and speed limits.
The issue centers around brands, particularly Chinese manufacturer Ridstar, whose products have been flagged by the UK government's Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) as posing a significant fire hazard due to substandard electrical components. Worryingly, these items were reportedly available for purchase in the UK even after authorities issued warnings and intercepted shipments at the border.
Lawmakers are demanding immediate action from Amazon and eBay, urging them to remove the risky bikes from their sites, strengthen seller verification processes to prevent the sale of dangerous goods, and support the implementation of a national quality-assurance Kitemark to help consumers identify safe and legal e-bikes.
MPs Fabian Hamilton and Olly Glover, leading voices on cycling and walking issues, have directly addressed Amazon and eBay executives, highlighting the potential fire risks associated with purchasing these items. They've also questioned eBay's enforcement of its pledge to better control e-bike sales, pointing to the continued availability of used e-bikes despite an alleged ban.
Amazon has stated that the specific Ridstar bike identified by the OPSS has been removed from sale and that they require sellers of e-mobility products to provide testing certification from accredited labs. They emphasize their commitment to safety, including partnerships with the London Fire Brigade to provide safety tips.
eBay has responded by stating they've removed several e-bike listings flagged by the OPSS and are actively identifying and removing additional problematic items. They emphasize consumer safety as a top priority, stating that only verified business sellers can list e-bikes and batteries, and that used e-bike batteries are prohibited. They also claim to use AI-supported monitoring to prevent unsafe listings.
Under UK law, e-bikes can only provide electric assistance up to 15.5 mph with a maximum power output of 250w. The availability of more powerful and unregulated bikes online poses a significant safety risk to consumers.
