Prevent fire hazards with bicycle batteries: invest in safety

Fire hazards associated with bicycle batteries are a growing concern, particularly in the leisure industry where e-bikes and choppers are frequently rented out. It is therefore crucial to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of both staff and guests. In this article, we discuss the importance of investing in a battery safe and share practical tips to minimize the risk of fire associated with bicycle batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in e-bikes and scooters, are known for their efficiency and long lifespan. However, they also pose risks. Even the slightest damage can cause such a battery to spontaneously catch fire. Take, for example, the Fletcher Hotel Frerikshof in Winterswijk, the Netherlands, where bicycle batteries recently caught fire, resulting in the hotel having to be evacuated.

Source: De Gelderlander

De Gelderlander, the newspaper that reported on the bicycle battery fire at the Fletcher Hotel, mentioned storage boxes in which batteries should be kept. However, the term “storage box” gives a misleading impression of safe battery storage. If a bicycle battery catches fire, it can result in an intense blaze and significant smoke development. This smoke is incredibly toxic and could even lead to an explosion! A storage box would offer no protection in such a scenario.

In the leisure industry, when renting out e-bikes and choppers, numerous batteries are charged simultaneously. This is when the risk of a battery fire is particularly high. The solution is the Batteryguard battery safe. If the batteries do catch fire, the fire, smoke, and damage are contained within the safe, ensuring that neither staff nor guests are at risk. A battery safe is therefore an investment in safety!

Roompot has taken proactive measures and invested in the Batteryguard battery safe. They now centrally charge the bicycle batteries at the bike rental location. The battery safe ensures that, in the event of a fire, damage is limited to the inside of the safe, and the safety of both staff and guests is maintained.

In addition to investing in a battery safe, there are various other measures you can take to reduce the risk of fire hazards:

• Regularly check the condition of the batteries and replace them if they are damaged.
• Ensure a safe charging environment, away from flammable materials.
• Do not charge batteries overnight or leave them unattended while charging.
• Use only the provided charger.

Would you like to know how to recognize a damaged battery and what to do in such a case? Continue reading in our blog Are lithium-ion batteries dangerous?
Or contact our specialists; they are more than happy to assist you with any questions you may have.