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UAL’s policy for e-bikes and e-scooters

A photo of a bicycle displayed on the wall during an exhibition. There are colourful triangle patterns displayed alongside it, 1 yellow, 1 blue and 2 pink.
  • Written byStudent Communications
  • Published date 18 October 2024
A photo of a bicycle displayed on the wall during an exhibition. There are colourful triangle patterns displayed alongside it, 1 yellow, 1 blue and 2 pink.
Image credit: Bike accessory by Charlie Patterson and Van Den Bosch

Effective immediately, e-scooters are strictly prohibited on all UAL sites. It is illegal to use e-scooters in public spaces or on the road, which you can read more about the on Metropolitan Police website.

The decision surrounding e-bikes is as follows: UAL students may bring them onto campus if they are stored in an external bike storage. It is strictly prohibited to bring an e-bike into a UAL building, including any internal bike storage facilities.

Should you wish to bring an e-bike onto campus and store it externally, you may not bring the e-bike's battery into the building with you under any circumstance, due to the risk of fire that it poses. Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not affected and are permitted on site at all times.

What is the risk?

E-bikes use lithium-ion batteries to power them. Whilst these are considered low risk when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, if misused, damaged or not purchased from a reputable supplier, there is a serious risk of batteries exploding unexpectedly and causing a fire.

The safety of e-bikes and e-scooters has been a hot topic of discussion nationwide in recent years, with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) launching their #ChargeSafe campaign to better educate on the dangers that these vehicles could pose. In 2023, LFB attended an e-bike or e-scooter fire once every 2 days.

For the UAL sites with internal bike storage facilities, this could be devastating. Our Health & Safety team have thoroughly investigated the risks and have determined it is too dangerous to allow them on site, where there is a genuine fire risk.

Where can I park my e-bike?

UAL sites that have external bike storage facilities where you may park your e-bike

  • Camberwell Peckham Road
  • Camberwell Wilson Road
  • Chelsea
  • LCC
  • School of Pre-degree Studies (Archway)
  • School of Pre-degree Studies (Lime Grove)
  • Wimbledon

UAL sites that do not have external bike storage facilities

  • CSM
  • High Holborn
  • LCF

Alternative external parking options for King’s Cross, High Holborn and LCF

At CSM King’s Cross, there are bike racks available across the King’s Cross estate, including Granary Square, Bagley Walk, Handyside Street and Stable Street.

At High Holborn, there are bike racks available directly in front of the building and nearby on Red Lion Street and Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

At LCF East Bank, there are bike racks available at the front and rear of the building, as well as nearby Endeavour Square and outside the London Aquatics Centre.

The Active Things website has a useful map feature that allows you to search for external bike parking across London.

What about halls of residences?

A full list of bike storage facilities at our halls of residences can be found on our cycling to UAL webpage. For those with internal storage only, e-bikes are strictly prohibited.

Useful links