New York City is taking steps to address the recent fires involving e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries. The New York City Fire Department is requiring apartment owners to distribute a fire and emergency preparedness bulletin to staff and residents.
According to The City Record, there have been 140 e-bike and lithium-ion fires in New York City during the first 10 and a half months of 2022.
The City Record provided safety information including buying tips and charging instructions such as looking for e-bikes and other mobility devices that are certified and plugging the device directly into the wall outlet.
“E-bikes, scooters, hoverboards and other mobility devices powered by lithium-ion batteries have become popular. Many people store and charge them in their apartments. However, the devices’ lithium-ion batteries and chargers present serious fire safety hazards,” according to the fire safety bulletin.