S’pore electric bike seller to be charged for selling non-compliant batteries following two fires – Mothership.SG

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One of the batteries caught fire while the driver was riding his bicycle.

An e-bike retailer who allegedly sold non-compliant electric assisted bicycle (PAB) batteries to customers will face costs after two fires linked to non-compliant active mobile devices (AMD).

Prince Bryan Tan, sales and marketing manager at Drive Bicycles Singapore, will be charged in court on January 23 under the Active Mobility Act 2017 and the Road Traffic Act 1961 for selling a non-compliant PAB and causing it to be modified.

The battery caught fire twice

According to an LTA press release, on January 27, 2024, Tan sold a non-compliant battery to a customer for use in a PAB device.

The same battery was said to have caught fire three months later on April 27, 2024, while the customer was driving a PAB along Hougang Avenue 5.

On another occasion, Tan allegedly sold a customer a PAB equipped with a battery and having a revoked certificate.

Two months later, on April 25, 2024, a PAB fire occurred in the client’s apartment at 32 Bukit Batok Street.

For first-time offenders, the offense of causing an unlawful modification of a power-assisted bicycle under section 5(1) 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 is punishable by a fine of up to $20,000 or imprisonment for up to 24 months or both if the offender is an individual or a fine of up to $40,000 in the case of persons other than natural persons.

The crime of selling non-compliant PAB in the case of persons who have committed an offense for the first time in accordance with Art. 34 section 1 of the Active Mobility Act 2017, shall be punishable by a fine of up to USD 20,000 or imprisonment for up to 24 months or both in the case of natural persons or by a fine of up to USD 40,000 in the case of persons other than natural persons.

Since 2019, six deaths have resulted from non-compliant AMD fires

The LTA said it seized more than 400 non-compliant AMD processors during enforcement inspections in the first half of 2024.

During the same period, the LTA detected approximately 10 offenses involving the sale of non-compliant devices in operations against retailers.

The LTA also cautioned members of the public to only buy from reputable sources and encouraged consumers to check them for any defects or modifications before purchasing used devices online.

“Non-compliant AMDs pose a serious risk of fires, which have resulted in six deaths since 2019,” the LTA said.

“We urge device owners to do their part and ensure they only use compliant devices for their own safety, as well as the safety of their families and communities.”

Citizens are also encouraged to exercise safe charging methods.

Residents who detect devices posing a fire risk can report it to the relevant municipal authorities, management corporations or the Singapore Civil Defense Force via the myResponder app.

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Top photo from Drive Bikes/LinkedIn