Following a safety review including guidance from the London Fire Brigade and advice across the cultural sector, we have come to the decision that the Library cannot safely accommodate e-bikes or their batteries inside the building.

Our bike store is an enclosed area beneath the main building and close to critical services. Lithium-ion battery fires can be extremely intense, burn intensely and cannot be controlled using standard extinguishers. While new products, such as lithium-ion fire blankets are emerging, it would not be safe or appropriate for staff to manage such an incident, and we are not resourced to inspect or monitor personal batteries or chargers.

With immediate effect:

• E-bikes must not be left in the bike storage areas
• Charging e-bike batteries is not permitted anywhere on site
• Batteries left in common areas or escape routes may be removed or asked to be taken off site

We fully recognise the growing popularity of e-bikes and remain committed to exploring future solutions as industry guidance and technology develop. Thank you for your understanding as we prioritise the safety of staff, members and the collection. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.