SINGAPORE:

In a groundbreaking legal move, a local retailer, Drive Bikes Singapore, is facing court charges this Thursday (Jan 23) over two alarming incidents involving e-bikes fitted with incompatible batteries. This first-of-its-kind prosecution highlights growing concerns for public safety regarding electric mobility devices.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) reports that Prince Bryan Tan, the company’s sales and marketing manager, allegedly sold a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) battery that was not compatible with the e-bike model on January 27, 2024. This sale effectively rendered the e-bike illegally modified and non-compliant with safety standards.

Moreover, Tan is being accused of the sale of another non-compliant e-bike equipped with an incompatible battery on February 21, 2024. Both incidents reveal a dangerous oversight in battery compatibility that has now led to serious safety hazards.

The gravity of these charges comes after a battery linked to the first incident caught fire while a customer was riding along Hougang Avenue 5 on April 27, 2024. Tragically, the user suffered burns and required skin grafting due to the severity of the injuries. A Facebook update from Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Baey Yam Keng, highlighted the significant impact of the incident, stating that the fire had caused "significant damage" to the rider’s home along Bukit Batok Street 32 just two days earlier.

The batteries sold not only voided their EN15194 certification—an essential European safety standard for PABs—but also highlighted a critical lapse in regulatory enforcement concerning the sale of electric mobility devices. The LTA stated that over 400 non-compliant active mobility devices were seized in the first half of 2024 and added that ten retailers have been caught selling non-compliant products during operations aimed at ensuring public safety.

LTA regulations dictate that all motorized devices must adhere to rigorous safety standards, including the UL2272 for personal mobility devices and EN15194 for power-assisted bicycles. Since 2019, non-compliant e-bikes have resulted in six tragic fatalities, emphasizing the urgent need for consumer awareness and strict compliance with regulations.

The authorities are urging the public to purchase e-bikes and parts only from reputable sources, emphasizing the risks involved in buying second-hand devices without thorough inspections for defects or modifications. Retailers and manufacturers found guilty of selling non-compliant devices could face stiff penalties, with first-time offenders facing fines up to S$20,000 (about US$14,800) and potentially serving jail time of up to two years. Companies may be penalized even more, with fines reaching S$40,000 upon conviction.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers surrounding e-bikes and the critical importance of compliance with safety standards to protect users and the community alike. Stay tuned for more updates on this significant legal development!