Mayor Adams unveils e-bike trade-In program to combat lithium-ion battery fires

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced final rules on Thursday for a groundbreaking e-bike trade-in program designed to address the growing threat of lithium-ion battery fires, which have caused multiple fatalities and injuries in recent years.

According to the Official Press Release, the pilot program, the first of its kind in the nation, will allow eligible food delivery workers to swap unsafe electric bikes and uncertified lithium-ion batteries for certified, fire-safe replacements.

“My top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe, and that includes from new and emerging threats like the dangers posed by uncertified lithium-ion batteries,” said Mayor Adams. “Thanks to our new trade-in program, eligible frontline delivery workers who keep our city moving will be able to swap their dangerous bikes and batteries for safe versions for free.”

The program is part of the city’s larger “Charge Safe, Ride Safe” initiative aimed at reducing the risk of deadly battery fires and improving street safety. Last year, New York saw 224 lithium-ion battery-related fires that led to 14 deaths and 122 injuries. This year, despite 222 reported fires, fatalities have dropped to four, a significant improvement attributed to Adams’ administration’s safety efforts.

The $2 million trade-in program is expected to further decrease fire risks and reduce the number of illegal mopeds on city streets. New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez praised the program, noting that it will offer delivery workers safer, certified equipment while benefiting public safety: “This program will protect all New Yorkers from deadly fires while ensuring our hard-working delivery workers have peace of mind.”

Eligible participants can apply in early 2025, with the goal of exchanging unsafe devices for certified e-bikes and batteries, paving the way for safer streets and fewer fire incidents in the city.