In calendar year 2023, Electric bicycles were responsible for a record number of fires, injuries and deaths in New York City. The Fire Department of New York reported that e-bikes caused 267 fires which led to 18 deaths and 150 injuries in the city. Those totals represent the highest levels of each statistic – with deaths jumping 200% and fires increasing 21% over last year.
“As we rely more and more on micromobility vehicles to earn a living in our daily lives, we increase the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. And as mentioned, we had over 100 deaths in this city alone on these batteries,” said Mayor Eric Adams (D) during an e-bike safety event last year. “And one of the problems that we’ve noticed, when you look at those taped-up batteries, you see that they are refurbished,” he continued. “These shops are going inside attempting to refurbish the batteries and do it their own way. This is a safety issue.”
New York City leaders led by Adams and FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh who was on the record as saying e-bikes are “incredibly dangerous devices” has called for additional regulation. The city has also spearheaded a public education campaign about the dangers of the device and pushed policies to ensure safety. In early 2023 the Mayor announced the city’s Charge Safe, Ride Safe plan to prevent further harmful e-bike incidents. Months later it was announced the city was awarded $25 million in federal funding to install 173 outdoor e-bike charging stations. In December, Adams said his administration would soon launch a battery-charging pilot program for delivery workers.
“We know these fires can cause serious injury, and even death. We are grateful to our partners in city government for their out-of-the-box thinking on how we can embrace this new technology while also protecting lives,” said Kavanaugh. Meanwhile, NYC has passed several laws to regulate lithium-ion batteries sold within city limits, and has implemented a policy to expedite investigations into the dangers. Last June, NY AG Letitia James warned of “significant risks” associated with e-bikes. Earlier this month, an e-bike battery exploded in a Queens bike store, resulting in a two-alarm fire. The incident came just days after another e-bike battery fire caused an explosion in a public housing complex in the Bronx, resulting in one death and injuring six others.
The events along with the injuries and deaths are a microcosm of the trail of devastation being left behind with the adoption of some of the electric conveyances we use and believe the be safe. The means bicycles, scooters, hoverboards and anything that contains a lithium-ion battery. This includes electric vehicles which may be parked in a garage and charged while your family is sleeping. We very much support the adoption of electric vehicles as long as they are believed to be safe. That means they don’t cause harm.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We would be honored to represent you!
