e-bikes

FDNY Cracks Down on Illegal Refurbished Batteries at Chinatown E-Bike Shops

June 29, 2023, 5:55 p.m.March 14, 2024, 2:22 p.m.

Inspectors found tampered-with batteries at 80 Madison St., where a fire killed four earlier this month, and at nearby 91 Canal St.

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh spoke at the scene of a deadly e-bike repair shop fire on Madison Street in Chinatown.

Public Safety

Fire Inspectors Did Not Have Basement Access at Store Where E-Bike Blaze Killed Four

June 21, 2023, 7:08 p.m.Feb. 17, 2025, 4:39 p.m.

The FDNY has since found multiple e-bikes in the basement. Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams has ordered the department to speed up response times to 311 calls about dangerous conditions.

Public Safety

FDNY Failed to Follow E-Bike Battery-Check Law Before Deadly Chinatown Fire

June 20, 2023, 7:05 p.m.Feb. 27, 2024, 4:33 p.m.

Earlier this year the City Council forbade selling reconditioned batteries — yet fire department inspectors didn’t look for them in a visit to the now-destroyed store just weeks ago.

Environment

Battery Energy Storage Systems Will Make the City Greener — and They’re a Lot Safer Than E-Bike Batteries

March 1, 2023, 5:03 a.m.April 3, 2025, 1:13 p.m.

Though lithium-ion batteries for use in e-bikes have caused a rise in fires in the city, the batteries used in energy storage systems are fundamentally different — and the city has strict regulations to mitigate fire risk.

Transportation

One of NYC’s Biggest Co-Ops Considers Ban on E-Bikes in Response to Battery Fire Fears

Dec. 15, 2022, 6:55 p.m.April 3, 2025, 1:19 p.m.

Deadly fires at apartment buildings are leading property managers to confront their apparent cause: e-bike batteries.

Bicycles

Where and Why E-Bikes Catch Fire in NYC — And What Can Be Done About It

Nov. 21, 2022, 5:00 a.m.April 3, 2025, 1:20 p.m.

Most of the battery-related fires take place in working-class residential neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn and The Bronx.

Manhattan

Powerless Tenants and Landlord Raised Alarms About E-Bikes That Sparked Midtown Blaze

Nov. 11, 2022, 2:21 p.m.April 3, 2025, 1:23 p.m.

Eviction case sought to remove tenants from luxury 429 E. 52nd St. after complaints of “motorcycles” ridden and parked in halls. City Council is now considering bills to prevent destructive lithium-ion battery fires.

NYCHA

Two Dead in NYCHA Housing Blaze Ignited by Exploding E-bike Battery, Officials Say

Aug. 3, 2022, 4:53 p.m.April 3, 2025, 2:18 p.m.

For years, NYCHA management ignored a 2018 DOI recommendation to ban lithium-ion battery powered devices in public housing. Three people, including a 5-year-old girl today, have been killed in related fires since.

NYCHA

Investigators Advised NYCHA Three Years Ago to Ban E-bikes. 25 Related Fires Later, It’s Finally Taking Action.

July 11, 2022, 6:18 p.m.April 3, 2025, 2:19 p.m.

NYCHA declined to answer THE CITY’s questions about why it took so long to respond to the Department of Investigation’s suggestion.

NYCHA

To Prevent Fires, NYCHA Could Ban E-bikes, Leaving Delivery Workers Stranded

July 7, 2022, 5:05 p.m.April 3, 2025, 2:19 p.m.

E-bikes have become an essential tool workers use to meet brutal delivery schedules. They’ve also sparked deadly fires in public housing.

e-bikes

FDNY Cracks Down on Illegal Refurbished Batteries at Chinatown E-Bike Shops

Fire Inspectors Did Not Have Basement Access at Store Where E-Bike Blaze Killed Four

FDNY Failed to Follow E-Bike Battery-Check Law Before Deadly Chinatown Fire

Battery Energy Storage Systems Will Make the City Greener — and They’re a Lot Safer Than E-Bike Batteries

One of NYC’s Biggest Co-Ops Considers Ban on E-Bikes in Response to Battery Fire Fears

Where and Why E-Bikes Catch Fire in NYC — And What Can Be Done About It

Powerless Tenants and Landlord Raised Alarms About E-Bikes That Sparked Midtown Blaze

Two Dead in NYCHA Housing Blaze Ignited by Exploding E-bike Battery, Officials Say

Investigators Advised NYCHA Three Years Ago to Ban E-bikes. 25 Related Fires Later, It’s Finally Taking Action.

To Prevent Fires, NYCHA Could Ban E-bikes, Leaving Delivery Workers Stranded

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