DELIVEROO CALLS FOR BAN ON SALE OF DANGEROUS E-BIKE CONVERSION KITS

London, 8th October 2026: Deliveroo is calling on the Government to crack down on dangerous e-bikes by banning the sale of unsafe conversion kits to the general public, as part of its new Ride Safe campaign to make roads safer.

The campaign is supported by Dame Siobhan McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden, along with Transport for London (TfL), the London Fire Brigade, GMB Union and PORT Bikes.

E-bike conversion kits enable people to equip their bikes with motor and battery systems that exceed legal power or speed limits, or run on an illegal form of twist-throttle without pedalling. These kits are readily available to buy online and on the high street, often without any indication they are illegal, and can be a major fire risk.

The campaign is the latest step of Deliveroo’s commitment to driving the use of safer e-bikes. The company runs rider engagement events across the UK and Ireland annually bringing together councils, police and fire services with riders to discuss road safety and the dangers of illegal e-bikes and unsafe batteries. In 2026 it will host 40, with thousands of riders expected to attend. The campaign builds on Deliveroo’s commitment to protect riders, following their ‘Right to Ride Safely’ campaign which sought to bolster the Crime and Policing Act to extend legislative protections to riders.

The campaign will also see Deliveroo continue to invest in the several e-bike partnerships it already has in place. Widening access to affordable, safe and compliant vehicles for riders, partnerships include PORT, Zoomo, Otto Scooters and Eskuta. Every rider receives road safety information during onboarding, including specific guidance on e-bikes and the steps needed to ensure they are legal to ride. The company will update its guidance around e-bike safety to raise awareness of the dangers associated with conversion kits and battery storage, including fire risks.

As part of the campaign, Deliveroo is introducing new measures, such as the introduction of speed technology to better detect where a rider is sustaining speeds that a bicycle or a legal, compliant e-bike could not reasonably reach. When detected, Deliveroo will take action - contacting the rider about their vehicle and removing their access to the platform where the issue persists or where a rider has knowingly registered an incorrect vehicle.

Dame Siobhan McDonagh 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 firsthand in my own constituency, and it is not something I want any other family to go through. I am pleased to support the call for a ban on dangerous conversion kits, and I look forward to working with the Government, delivery companies and others across the sector to improve e-bike safety and protect riders and the public.”

Paul Bedford, Policy & Sustainability Director at Deliveroo, 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."

Lilli Matson, Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer at TfL, said: “We welcome this call for stronger national action to prohibit the sale of unsafe e-bike conversion kits, which can be used to modify bikes beyond legal limits. E-bikes that operate beyond legal power and speed limits can pose a serious risk to riders and other road users, as well as a serious fire risk."

“We continue to work with the police, the delivery sector, London Fire Brigade and government to improve compliance, support enforcement and promote the safe and legal use of e-bikes. Preventing the sale of unsafe conversion kits would support safer riding and help make London's roads safer for everyone.”

Richard Field, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, 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.”

Martin Wills at GMB Union, said: “Rider safety is a priority for GMB, and that means tackling the root causes of risk on the road. No rider should have to worry that a cheap, illegal conversion kit could turn their bike into a fire risk. GMB has been clear that unsafe kits need to come off the market, and we welcome Deliveroo's call for a ban that protects riders and the public alike.”

James Willson, Head of Expansion & Partnerships at PORT said: “We welcome Deliveroo's Ride Safe campaign and we fully support calls for the Government to use its new powers to clamp down on the sale of these dangerous kits. Getting illegal conversion kits off the market is the single biggest step we could take to protect all e-bike users, pedestrians, and communities.”

ENDS