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Jun 15, 2024

Evanston Fire Department encourages e

Raiden Spelman says his battery powered electric bike is an excellent way to get around Evanston. “It gets me to and from the Northwestern campus,” he said. “Since it’s so small in Evanston, it’s easy

Raiden Spelman says his battery powered electric bike is an excellent way to get around Evanston.

“It gets me to and from the Northwestern campus,” he said. “Since it’s so small in Evanston, it’s easy to bike around rather than have a car. I bike in all weather. It’s convenient because it takes me 10 minutes to get somewhere.”

He also likes being able to avoid parking in Evanston where spots can become few and expensive during busy times of day.

But Spelman said he’s aware that the bike has one major drawback: the battery could start a fire or explode.

“Even charging the battery you do notice it gets hot and the charger does get hot, so keeping them in a safe place where it can heat up without lighting anything on fire is probably useful,” he said.

The Evanston Fire Department would agree and recently issued a community alert warning about the potential fire hazards associated with electric bikes.

“As electric bicycles gain popularity for their eco-friendly and efficient transportation, our community must be aware of the potential dangers and adopt best practices to ensure safety,” the alert said.

The Evanston Fire Department said in a follow up release there have not been any fires liked to ebikes in the city but hopes to encourage riders to engage in safe practices to avoid the potential for fire caused by the batteries.

“Once these battery fires get going they’re really hard to put out,” said Anthony Lee, captain with the Evanston Fire Department. “They require a lot of water … and usually a long term operation.”

Multiple fires across the city have been reported since the start of this year with the first striking in late January when a fire on Emerson Street displaced six residents.

A house fire at 2002 Emerson Street caught fire around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, displacing all six residents.- Original Credit: Handout (Evanston Fire Department / HANDOUT)

A fire in early February caused extensive damage to 4 Suns Fresh Juice and another six days later killed two pets and displaced 13 residents on Judson Ave. Another fire in a unit on Washington Street broke out on Feb. 14 was able to be held at bay within 20 minutes leaving only smoke and water damage.

After another fire began on Hartrey Ave on Feb. 18, the Evanston Fire Department gave tips on how to avoid common issues that can start fires in colder months.

Nine people and a dog were displaced after a Feb. 18 house fire in the 1700 block of Hartrey Street in Evanston. There have been four residential and one commercial structure fires in the north suburb in less that three weeks and officials say there are common sense steps people can take to avoid being the victims of similar fires. (Evanston Fire Department Photo)- Original Credit: Handout (Evanston Fire Department / HANDOUT)

Two more residents were displaced in mid March when a fire broke out at a Custer Ave apartment.

A fire broke out at 208 Custer Ave on March 14, displacing two residents.- Original Credit: Handout (Evanston Fire Department / HANDOUT)

According to the National Fire Protection Association website, electric bicycles and electric scooters, or e-bikes and e-scooters, are more popular than ever. But, unknown to many users, the lithium-ion batteries that power e-bikes and e-scooters have also been known to catch on fire and cause explosions when damaged.

“When fires occur, they also tend to burn very hot and can be difficult for firefighters to extinguish,” the website said. “E-bike and e-scooter battery fires have also been associated with faulty charging equipment, improper charging practices, and overloaded electrical circuits.”

The Evanston Fire Department alert advises that E-bike owners always use the manufacturer-approved charger and charge the bike in a well-ventilated area, to never leave the e-bike unattended while charging and to avoid charging it near flammable materials such as paper, fabrics or cleaning chemicals. The department also said every house with an e-bike should have functional fire extinguishers with residents knowledgeable of how to use them.

It also says to regularly inspect the e-bike’s battery for any signs of damage, wear or leaks and that if any issues are identified, the battery should be replaced immediately, and old batteries should be disposed.

“It is essential to designate a specific and safe area within your home or garage solely for e-bike charging, the news release said. “This area should be clear of potential fire hazards and equipped with a fire extinguisher and smoke alarm.”

Spelman said all electric bike users should be aware of the dangers associated with their bikes.

“The main thing is separating the battery when you store it. From what I’ve read when you keep the bike and battery together it could be a problem and not maintaining the battery could be an issue,” he said. “Just make sure to take care of it. Separating the battery every time is important and making sure you have a bike you can separate the battery from is important.”

The alert also said the Evanston Fire Department is committed to enhancing public safety and has planned various initiatives to educate residents on e-bike safety, and that tutorials and safety training will be provided to raise awareness and give hands on experience how to combat fires if they start.

The next scheduled class will be held during the department’s Emergency Preparedness Fair, scheduled for Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert Crown Center.

“Let us all work together to raise awareness, prioritize safety, and prevent accidents related to e-bikes,” it says. “Together, we can protect our homes, families, and community.”

For more information about e-bike safety, including safety guidelines, residents are asked to visit the Evanston Fire Department website or contact 311 by calling or texting 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.