NYC delivery workers could soon get safer e-bikes, sidewalk charging stations

Delivery workers who rely on e-bikes will be able to exchange unsafe bikes and batteries for ones approved by New York City and charge them at city-inspected stations under a policy unveiled by Mayor Adams Monday.

The new policy — which will put $2 million into the e-bike exchange program — is aimed at addressing a series of horrific fires in recent years that were caused by faulty e-bike batteries.

According to city officials, lithium-ion batteries have led to 733 fires since 2019. Those fires have killed 29 and injured 442 and can occur both when the batteries are charging and when they are not.

“We’re going to keep stepping up enforcement against high-risk charging hot spots that put lives at risk,” Adams said during a press conference Monday in Greenwich Village. “We banned the sale of uncertified e-vehicles and refurbished lithium-ion batteries — a huge move in the right direction.”

Earlier this year, the mayor also announced his intention to establish the Department of Sustainable Delivery, which would regulate e-bikes, scooters and mopeds used in commercial deliveries.

The latest policies announced Monday are intended to complement those previous initiatives and goals.

The e-bike exchange program will allow delivery workers to trade in uncertified battery-powered bikes free of charge. To qualify, food delivery workers will need to prove they’ve earned at least $1,500 in the last year doing that work, must be a city resident and own an e-bike that fits the bill. If deemed eligible by the city, they’ll receive an e-bike that’s certified as safe and two safety-certified batteries.

A public hearing focused on that program is slated for Aug. 22. The application process is expected to begin in early 2025, city officials said.

To address the explosive fires that have occurred while charging faulty batteries indoors, the city is also proposing a new rule that would allow property owners to install e-bike charging stations on city streets. Doing so is currently prohibited.

A public hearing on that rule change is set for Aug. 21, and the application process to participate in that program is expected to begin around the end of this year.

Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi noted that some businesses already charge delivery workers a small fee to charge their bikes inside their premises. They would continue to have that ability if they secure the right to put a charging station on the sidewalk — but in a safer way.

“Many of these are the same businesses that are working regularly with deliveristas, and so it really helps to create that organic environment to support the workers they’re using day in and day out,” she said.

The new policy unveiled Monday also includes a third initiative — a $1 million PR campaign from the FDNY to educate the public about the dangers of e-bike batteries. Roughly $750,000 of that money will go toward ads on subways and buses, websites, “targeted” newspapers and radio.

Originally Published: July 22, 2024 at 5:43 p.m.