Deliveroo Will Flag Riders on Illegally Fast E-Bikes and Urges UK Ban on Unsafe Conversion Kits

Deliveroo says it will start flagging riders whose speeds suggest an illegally modified e-bike, and it is asking the UK government to stop unsafe e-bike conversion kits at the point of sale.

The Independent and The Standard reported the food delivery company's new Ride Safe campaign on October 9, 2026. Deliveroo is bringing in technology to identify riders travelling at speeds that a bicycle or a legal e-bike could not reasonably sustain.

What Deliveroo says it will do

Flag suspicious speeds. When those speeds are detected, Deliveroo says it will contact the rider about what vehicle they are using.

Remove access when needed. Riders who knowingly registered the wrong vehicle, or who keep breaking the rules, can lose access to the platform.

Push for a kit ban. Deliveroo is urging ministers to stop the sale of unsafe conversion kits. These kits can be bought online and let riders fit motors and batteries that go beyond legal power or speed limits.

"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," said Paul Bedford, Deliveroo's policy and sustainability director. "We think our industry has a responsibility to lead on e-bike safety, and we want the law to catch up."

The UK rules behind it

Under UK rules, an e-bike must stop providing electric assistance at 15.5 mph, and its motor's maximum power output is 250 watts, both reports say. The Independent adds that the motor must only work when the rider is pedalling. Modified bikes with aftermarket conversion kits can exceed those limits.

A UK government spokesperson told The Standard that e-bikes modified beyond the rules "are motorbikes, and unless they have been registered, taxed and insured, they have no place on our roads." The spokesperson added that police have been given stronger powers to seize vehicles without first issuing a warning.

The fire-safety angle

Transport for London and London Fire Brigade welcomed the campaign. The brigade recorded 171 e-bike fires last year, according to figures obtained by the Press Association. E-bike and e-scooter fires are often caused by the failure of batteries, conversion kits or chargers.

"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," said Richard Field, deputy assistant commissioner at London Fire Brigade. He recommended having a professional or competent person carry out any conversion and buying batteries from a reputable seller, not second-hand.

This is a company policy plus a call for new rules. It is not a new UK law. No nationwide ban on conversion kits has been announced.

Why U.S. riders should pay attention

Speed data is becoming enforcement data. A major delivery platform now plans to use rider speeds to judge whether a vehicle is a legal e-bike.

Battery safety is on the U.S. agenda too. The CPSC is weighing proposed lithium-ion battery and electrical-system safety rules for e-bikes, with a public hearing set for Oct. 21 (see our n21 coverage below).

Class labels matter. A bike that goes faster than its class allows may legally be something else entirely, with different registration, licensing and insurance rules.

The e-bike pros' take

Buy complete, certified systems. Look for documented motor class, top assisted speed and recognized battery and system safety certification instead of mixing parts.

Charge with the matched charger. Incompatible chargers were named as a fire cause in this story. Use the charger made for your battery.

Be cautious with conversions. If you convert a bike, have a qualified pro do it and keep the result within your local legal limits.

Shopping for a new ride? Compare options on ElectricBikes.com and check your local rules before you buy.

Shopping for a cargo e-bike? Compare cargo e-bikes on ElectricBikes.com

More e-bike safety news: CPSC Sets Oct. 21 Hearing on Proposed E-Bike Battery Safety Rule · Michigan Bill Would Require UL-Certified E-Bike Batteries and Systems From 2027 · Tenways Rolls Out Digital Battery Passports Ahead of EU February 2027 Rule · Virginia Bill Would Create a 'Motorized Mobility Vehicle' Class After Loudoun Reports More Than 120 Kids' E-Bike ER Visits in 2026

Photo: a Deliveroo delivery rider on a bicycle in France, January 2024, by Benoît Prieur via Wikimedia Commons (CC0). Generic delivery-rider illustration; not a UK rider, not a modified e-bike and not a product endorsement.