Shared E-bike, E-scooter lithium ion batteries can make powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

                                              Uber ebikes lined up in Rome

E-bikes in a row have become a familiar sight in many cities in Australia and around the world. The bikes are usually powered by a lithium ion battery and these have been known to explode (see video below).

Explosions are caused when a thermal runaway operating on the battery  is triggered. Anyone interested in turning an e-bike into a stationary or moving improvised explosive device has only to construct an appropriate triggering mechanism. 

E-bikes are often arranged in arrays such as that above, somewhat like a  shopfront, and that proximity could possibly be utilised to multiply the impact of an explosion, by using a single or multiple triggering devices.

The threat to the public at large  from e-bikes and bike sharing schemes in general has been ignored if not derided .

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