Dangerous e-bikes and e-scooters are being stored and charged inside London hospitals, despite explicit NHS rules prohibiting them from all buildings. Campaigners warn this poses a serious fire risk and is a 'preventable tragedy waiting to happen.'
Evidence of Violations
Images obtained by Metro show an e-scooter being charged in a staff room at Whipps Cross Hospital just three weeks ago, and an e-bike parked next to an exit at University College Hospital (UCLH). Internal emails reveal that staff have been warned not to bring e-bikes onto premises, but some are reportedly hiding them inside buildings to circumvent the rules.
Fire Risks and Statistics
E-bikes and e-scooters are most likely to catch fire while charging, especially if modified or fitted with unofficial parts. Standard lithium-ion batteries can fail and explode if damaged or overcharged. The London Fire Brigade attended over 200 e-bike and e-scooter fires last year, a record high, and 64 fires have been recorded in London in 2026 as of April. Six people have died in e-bike fires since 2023, with at least four having no connection to the device that caused the fire.
Official Responses
NHS Property Services has issued guidance stating these devices must not be brought inside buildings at any time, including for charging. The London Fire Brigade criticized the hospitals, reminding them of their 'legal duty to identify fire risks' and take appropriate action, especially given that vulnerable patients may have limited ability to escape a fire.
Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs Whipps Cross, said: 'Trust policy states that electric bikes should not, under any circumstances, be charged inside one of our buildings and staff should adhere to this. We are in the process of getting charging facilities installed outside the hospital to make charging easier for staff and visitors.'
UCLH said: 'We have clear guidance about the storage and use of e-bikes and e-scooters designed to minimise potential fire risk. We are investigating the information shared and we will take appropriate action while continuing to encourage staff to immediately report any fire safety concerns.'
Campaigner's Warning
Alda Simoes, who campaigns for e-bike safety after the death of her friend's daughter Sofia Duarte—the first person in London to die in an e-bike fire—said: 'Known risks must be acted upon, not ignored. Failures in enforcement, communication and accountability can have devastating consequences.'
