Press Room

"Entering a new session, state government has a responsibility to be responsive to the greatest concerns of New Yorkers – affordability and safety chief among them. At the same time, we can compromise in policy making without compromising our values.  Shift approaches without shifting the core convictions that form them. We can fully embrace strategies we know will work, instead of abandoning them halfway. With the coming federal administration, we must act without overreaction to political concerns. 

"There were proposals – pathways to proposals – to appreciate in the governor’s state of the state, which struck an important tone, including on free community college programs and childcare access. We have to see where those pathways lead. Similarly, tax cuts for working and middle class families are important. Whatever cuts in revenue are made, though, cannot be offset by cuts in services that New Yorkers rely on, especially when they are not paired with increased revenue raising from the wealthiest in our state. 

"Unfortunately, I'm concerned the governor may send us down the same path we have been down before on public safety, without rationale or results we've been seeking. How many more surges of law enforcement, including National Guard, will be sent into the subways? After each, we are told it worked, then told we need more because it didn’t. Increased officer presence may indeed make some feel more comfortable, it also won’t address the underlying issues like mental healthcare. We must focus critical resources on building out the infrastructure to extend care – not criminalization – to individuals in highest need. The greatest concern comes after they leave hospitalization -- or in worst cases, jail. Regardless of what some say, recidivism and mental health are not new, we've just continued to fail. I urge a focus on housing and wraparound services, not a cycle of commitment without compassion.

"Justice, health, and safety are not measured solely in conviction rates, and the state of our state is not reflected solely in polls. In the coming session, I hope the governor and legislature will use the seemingly endless headlines to make real, meaningful progress for all New Yorkers."

"As we prepare to hear from the mayor tomorrow in a critical moment, New Yorkers have to wonder which state of the city the mayor will report on, the one of a dire crisis where only he can save the city, or the one where he already has? 

“The true state of our city is somewhere between these two extremes, and most of the actions I have seen from this administration will not move us forward from that position. These speeches often set lofty goals that are directly contradicted by policy that follows, creating false hope and expectations.

“The real issues our city faces are not new, and particularly on public safety, this administration has appeared more interested in the optics of surging police and blaming bail reform than in the real work of investing in community health and safety. If the plan is to make real, lasting, positive change, I hope to hear an honest assessment, and solutions that match the complexity of our challenges." 

“This administration has a long way to go toward earning New Yorkers’ trust, and that work will take more than one speech. Trust will be essential as all of us in city government must collaborate to prevent the worst harm of the coming Trump years."

"Habari Gani? Peace, love, light, and strength to all who begin Kwanzaa celebrations today. Throughout this holiday, we center African American heritage and culture, honoring both our ancestral and collective history. Through the lens of seven principles – unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith – we examine our lives throughout the week, and pledge to uplift these values in the coming year. 

"I think this is a moment when it is especially important to draw inspiration and strength from the model of our ancestors. In a time of fear, of ongoing struggles and looming challenges, I look to the perseverance of the past for hope. I have faith that by emulating the seven principles, by looking to the lessons of those who came before, we can overcome any obstacle.

"Let us move together in unity - umoja- with purpose and toward progress. "

"Happy Hanukkah! Chag Hanukkah Sameach to all in our Jewish community who begin to celebrate this evening.

"Miracles can happen here. That message, inscribed on the dreidel, is a powerful statement of hope – not just in history, but in our time. May the light of the menorah illuminate the way to peace, and may light cast out darkness. Too often, that light is difficult to find, and may it burn beyond eight nights and into a bright future. 

"Each of us can be a light in the darkness – and just as with the menorah, the glow sustains brightest and strongest if we join our lights as one. This is the solidarity we must show in this moment of both trepidation and celebration.

"As we gather with family and community today, may we shine as a beacon of good will and good works."

"Merry Christmas, New York City!

"My family and I join Christians across the city and world in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, may peace be unto His name, today. The story of Christ’s humble birth and upbringing as a refugee and migrant, rings through history to this moment. I have always been inspired by His model of compassion and revolutionary spirit, and tried to bring it to public service. 

"Today is a moment of joy and peace, of gifts and gratitude, of fellowship and family. As we celebrate, I urge each of us to remember those in need at this time, to support our neighbors who may be struggling. We can extend grace to strangers and help one another as one united family in our great city. The nativity story is rooted in humility and hope, and I embrace the call to do good in our turbulent city and world.

"Wherever and however we celebrate, Merry Christmas to all!"

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.