Press Room

NEW YORK: Ahead of a holiday season expected to see rising trends of e-bikes and other micromobility devices given as gifts, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released a new analysis on steps that both individuals and government can take to keep riders safe into the New Year. ‘Stopping the Blaze: Solutions for the Safe Use of Lithium-Ion Batteries‘ builds on past work by the office to assess the benefits and risks of lithium-ion batteries that power these vehicles, and puts forth safety recommendations as these devices continue to increase in prominence for both professional and personal use. 

“With e-bikes as such a hot gift this holiday season, it’s important that safety is at the top of our list. New Yorkers should check twice to ensure that their batteries are safe, and the city must make sure our streets and our systems are ready for these new devices to become an even bigger part of personal transportation,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “While New Yorkers are exchanging gifts, we need to focus on exchanging batteries, setting common-sense standards, and ensuring that every rider is equipped with the information and gear to prevent the kinds of fires that have spread along with this technology. We can, and have to, be able to support new transit technologies while keeping people safe.”

This review and series of recommendations, which comes as the current budget deal in Congress is set to include a prohibition on selling uncertified, unsafe lithium-ion batteries, as well as federal standards for such devices.  

This paper finds that micromobility devices such as e-bikes will continue to become more central to personal transit in our city, and that risks associated with both batteries and street infrastructure must be mitigated in order to fully embrace the opportunity of this technology. The review finds:

1. Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: These fires are a growing concern in New York City. In 2024 alone, the FDNY reported 264 lithium-ion battery fires, leading to 95 injuries and 5 deaths. While this represents a decrease from 2023, due in part to local laws and public awareness campaigns, the danger remains significant.
2. Thermal Runaway Risks: Lithium-ion battery fires can reach temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making them three times hotter than gasoline fires and highly destructive. E-bike and e-scooter batteries pose the greatest risks without proper safety measures.
3. Economic and Environmental Benefits: E-bikes reduce carbon emissions, with an individual bike replacing an annual 225 kilograms of CO2. They are also essential tools for over 65,000 app-based delivery workers in New York City.

Further recommendations in the report to address the challenges of lithium-ion battery safety while promoting the benefits of e-bikes include:

1. Fireproof Bags and Lockers: Establish a distribution program for fireproof bags and lockers certified by UL Solutions to safely store and charge lithium-ion batteries. These should be made freely available to delivery workers and affordable for the general public.
2. Public Charging Stations: Invest in the construction of safe, accessible public charging stations for micromobility devices to reduce the risk of fires from overnight charging at home.
3. Battery Swapping Programs: Expand battery swapping initiatives in partnership with companies like PopWheels, which has shown early success in pilot programs.
4. Battery Disposal Plan: Implement a frequent and accessible disposal plan for used and uncertified batteries to prevent tampering and unsafe reuse.

The Public Advocate’s office has previously proposed a number of efforts to address the dangers of e-bike fires, including a pilot program by the city to purchase and distribute fireproof battery bags to New Yorkers. We continue to engage with the administration to advocate for and advance measures to ensure safety, equity, and opportunity in this expanding industry.