Politics
E-Bike Fire Deaths Decline in New York City Amid Safety Efforts
Three deaths have been reported this year from lithium-battery fires as of Sept. 30, compared with 14 deaths during the same period last year.
In between food deliveries, Christian Acajabon rode his e-bike to a bustling outdoor plaza in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan.
There, he placed a spent lithium-ion battery into a curbside, fire-resistant cabinet to recharge and took out a fresh battery. “This is for all day,” he said before rushing off to pick up an order.
The battery-swapping cabinet is only one part of New York City’s efforts to prevent fires from lithium-ion batteries, which power the e-bikes and e-scooters that have flooded city streets in recent years. The batteries have also become deadly fire hazards.
Among other moves, the city has banned the sale of e-mobility devices that have not been certified for safety, increased inspections of bike shops and warned of the dangers of lithium batteries in 10 languages as part of a public education campaign.
There are signs these efforts may be working. Though lithium battery fires are still occurring at the same pace as last year, the rate of injuries and deaths from them has slowed. There have been three deaths and 84 injuries this year as of Sept. 30, down from 14 deaths and 114 injuries during the same period in 2023.
A key reason behind this decline is that fewer lithium battery fires are occurring inside buildings, including apartments and stores, Fire Department officials said. When the batteries overheat or malfunction, they can spark explosive, fast-moving fires that can block exits and trap people inside.