Safer Charging for E-Bikes is Coming - Adams Says

Mayor Unveils Pilot for E-Bike Charging Stations

Charging technologies participating in the city’s pilot, produced by (from left to right) Swobbee, Swiftmile, and Popwheels.

Delivery Workers Can Safely Charge Lithium-Ion Batteries Outside Residences in NYC 

Manhattan Voice 

December 6, 2023 

NEW YORK - Mayor Eric Adams plans on ringing in the New Year with launching e-bike charging stations throughout the city in an attempt to stop the problem of fires started by cheap lithium-ion batteries. The plan will include battery-swapping networks, as well as secure bike parking docks that supply fast charging to delivery workers’ e-bikes. 

“New Yorkers rely on delivery workers for so much, and this innovative pilot program will test different technologies to make this technology safer as we continue to do all we can to help protect workers from the dangers that lithium-ion batteries can pose,” said Mayor Adams. 

“By investing in battery-swapping networks and fast-charging e-bike docks, we’re building e-bike-friendly infrastructure and preparing our city’s streets for a new generation of users,” the mayor said. “Today’s announcement builds on our holistic strategy to ensure that we safely harness the transformative potential of e-bikes in our city.”

“Charge Safe, Ride Safe” focuses on four key areas: promoting and incentivizing safe battery use, increasing education and outreach to electric micro mobility users, advocating for additional federal regulation of these devices, and expanding enforcement against high-risk situations. 

Additionally, this year, Mayor Adams has also signed several bills to further regulate lithium-ion batteries sold in New York City and strengthen fire safety related to battery fires, including bills that prohibit the sale of unsafe, uncertified lithium-ion batteries or dangerously refurbished batteries.

 

In June, Mayor Adams, FDNY Commissioner Kavanagh, and New York City Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin Kim launched a new action plan to expedite investigations into potentially hazardous conditions involving lithium-ion batteries, as well as launch a comprehensive outreach and education campaign to educate bike shop and bike repair shop owners about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries and best practices to avoid fires. As part of the plan, 311 calls regarding questionable activity at bike repair shops or any other location where batteries are being charged will get a response from the local fire station within 12 hours. 

E-bikes and e-scooters are an affordable and convenient alternative to cars and are essential for delivery workers and other New Yorkers who rely on this mode of transportation for their livelihoods. However, these new transportation options have also brought serious fire risks. 

Fires caused by batteries that power electric micro mobility devices are a significant problem in New York City, growing from 30 in 2019 to 253 in 2023. These fires are particularly severe and difficult to extinguish, spreading quickly and producing noxious fumes. From 2019 to 2022, these fires resulted in an average of approximately three deaths and 66 injuries per year. So far in 2023, these batteries have already resulted in 18 deaths and 133 injuries.

“Spreading education about safe practices for lithium-ion batteries is one of the FDNY’s top priorities,” said Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “We know these fires can cause serious injury, and even death. We are grateful to our partners in city government for their out-of-the-box thinking on how we can embrace this new technology while also protecting lives.”