News

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is representing Maria Frasquilho Macarro, mother of Sofia Duarte, who tragically died in a fire that was caused by a faulty battery in a converted e-bike on New Year’s Day 2023, which blocked Sofia’s only escape route.

Ms Frasquilho Macarro, devastated by the loss of her daughter, has relentlessly campaigned in order to raise public awareness on e-bike battery safety and for tighter regulations on e-bike batteries, e-scooters, and associated chargers to prevent further tragedies ever since, alongside her family friend, Ms Alda Simoes.

Their campaign has garnered support from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) along with support from safety advocates like Electrical Safety First who share the concerns about unregulated batteries sold online.

According to LFB data, e-bike-related fires have surged nearly 60% over the past year, with lower-quality components found to be at higher risk of failure.

Ms Frasquilho Macarro and Ms Simoes have also recently launched a petition calling for a complete ban of e-bikes on the Transport for London (TFL) network until safety measures are implemented by the government.

With more than 30,000 signatures on the petition so far, Ms Frasquilho Macarro is determined to turn her family’s loss into a life-saving initiative for the broader community.

To help support the petition, please click on the following link: Change.Org | Ban E-Bikes on the Transport for London network until safety measures are implemented

Personal injury solicitor, Nazir Mirza , comments:

“There are millions of people using the TFL network on a daily basis and it would be an absolute catastrophe if an e-bike battery exploded on a train or bus that was full of passengers.

The impact of e-bike fires is most deeply felt by bereaved individuals such as Maria and I fully support her campaign to change TFL policy.

I would strongly urge everyone to sign and share this petition as widely as possible so that we can play a small part in helping to initiate this much needed change in TFL’s policy, which currently bans e-scooters and e-unicycles on its network but not e-bikes.”

About the Author

Nazir Mirza is a solicitor within the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence departments at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, working under the supervision of Director Rebecca Thomas.

Recommended in the 2024 Legal 500 as "hardworking and client focused" and in the 2025 Legal 500 for being thorough with meticulous attention to detail, Nazir has many years of experience providing legal representation in relation to claims for personal injuries on behalf of individuals who have sustained serious injuries.

For advice or assistance, contact Nazir via email at nazirm@duncanlewis.com or via telephone on 0203 114 1306.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

The Personal Injury team at Duncan Lewis, renowned for its expertise in handling complex cases involving consumer safety, encourages anyone affected by similar incidents to reach out for legal assistance.

The team provides guidance and representation for clients who have suffered due to faulty or unregulated products, working tirelessly to secure the justice they deserve.

For those needing expert advice in cases involving personal injury or product safety, Duncan Lewis Solicitors can be reached through their website or by phone. Their team of experienced solicitors is committed to supporting victims and ensuring their voices are heard.