Windgoo has halted sales of its B20 electric folding bike in the Netherlands after the Amsterdam region’s fire department reported 47 fires involving electric bicycles since June of last year, authorities and the company said.
Authorities said half of those incidents (23) involved electric folding bicycles; of those, 20 were Windgoo models and 15 specifically involved the B20. Windgoo said it is initiating a recall, freezing sales and encouraging customers to return bikes for inspection, acknowledging a fire risk associated with the battery.
Fire department warnings
Earlier this week the Amsterdam region’s fire department advised against taking the B20 on public transportation or storing it indoors.
The mayors of the Amsterdam-Amstelland Safety Region described the fire danger as “unacceptably high.”
Windgoo said on its website: “Only if the bicycle is not connected to the electricity network can it be placed indoors.” The company also said: “We take the concerns surrounding our B20 electric folding bike very seriously. We understand that this situation can be upsetting to customers and are doing everything we can to address that feeling.”
The manufacturer said it is in close contact with the regulator NVWA.
