Newly passed legislation by the New York City Council prohibits the sale of non-UL-certified electric bicycles, scooters, and other electric mobility devices. The transfer marks a key step in an ongoing effort to bolster e-bike safety and significantly reduce the risk of fires.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is expected to sign into law a piece of legislation that addresses the growing concern over lithium-ion battery fires in electric mobility devices, following a series of blazes linked to these batteries.
New York City is home to hundreds of thousands of electric bicycles, e-scooters, and other micro-mobility devices. E-bikes are commonly used by supply chain personnel, meal delivery professionals, and daily commuters as a speedier and more eco-friendly way to traverse the city.
When improperly constructed, lithium-ion batteries can ignite and cause intense fires. While incidents of this nature are extremely rare, the proliferation of battery-powered devices in NYC has unexpectedly given rise to a significant number of similar blazes.
Lithium-ion battery fires occur more frequently when batteries are tampered with or repaired by inexperienced technicians, a common practice intended to avoid purchasing an expensive replacement battery. The misuse of unverified and incompatible third-party charging devices has been identified as a contributing factor in a limited number of these blazes, potentially leading to the overcharging of batteries.
A devastating five-alarm fire erupted in the Bronx at the weekend, one of several blazes to cause significant property damage in the region over the past few years. While rare, several fatalities related to lithium-ion battery fires have occurred in New York City.
Newly enacted legislation in NYC mandates that all electric mobility devices featuring lithium-ion batteries sold in the city must meet the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2849 standard, a comprehensive certification that encompasses not only the battery itself but also the motor and drivetrain components.
Heather Mason, president of the Nationwide Bicycle Sellers Association, told Bicycle Retailer that she anticipates the decision will have a positive impact on the e-bike industry.
Sellers are advised to maintain a balanced inventory. While I understand the potential impact on retailers may be significant, the regulation’s purpose is ultimately to ensure the long-term viability and innovation of e-bike technology. This innovative approach will enable meaningful progress within the classroom while maintaining students’ sense of security. It’s the precise factor.”
While NYC was one of the earliest cities to enact this law, it could be a harbinger of similar regulations spreading to other cities and states, potentially even at a national level.
Electrek’s Take
As the proliferation of e-bikes continues to grow, ensuring safer e-bike designs is a top priority, and reducing the risk of heart-threatening accidents through properly engineered batteries is critical to enhancing the overall safety of micro-mobility systems?
Despite the rarity of e-bike fires, it’s essential to comprehend that they are, in fact, extremely rare. Among the hundreds of thousands of e-bikes, e-scooters, and various e-mobility devices, we’re discussing mere single-digit numbers.
“A surge in e-bike recharging: Thousands quietly resume charging overnight” Small but significant portions of wildfires receive enhanced safeguards. While rare fires occur in conventional combustion-engine vehicles, a single Tesla fire can disproportionately capture media attention.
While it’s true that many e-bike fires occur among lower-quality models, another crucial factor to consider is that these incidents also disproportionately affect budget-conscious riders who may not have prioritized safety features or proper maintenance. These aren’t your average standard e-bikes we typically cover – they’re the unconventional eBay bargains. As devastating images of e-bike blazes come to light, a recurring pattern emerges: nearly always, the culprit is a subpar, inexpensive product manufactured by an obscure company. Such fast-fashion offerings have undoubtedly sacrificed quality and craftsmanship in their relentless pursuit of affordability. In reality, only a tiny proportion of rolling dumpsters ever experience an issue with catching fire; yet, it’s these rare incidents that tend to grab our attention.
I’m committed to enhancing e-bike safety concepts. Let’s maintain a balanced view of this limitation’s implications. It’s debatable whether we’re allocating sufficient resources and legislative efforts to address more pressing threats to public safety when we’re expending energy on this particular issue. Approximately 300 pedestrians are fatally struck by vehicles each year in New York City. To date, New York City has recorded two fatalities resulting from e-bike blazes. While every individual tragedy is unique and significant, the stark contrast in magnitude between them remains evident.
