With an alarming count of 17 fatalities attributed to unregulated e-bike battery explosions in the current year alone, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh conveyed the gravity of the situation during a press roundtable. She solemnly recognized that this series of tragedies is on track to push the city beyond a somber milestone, surpassing “100 annual fire deaths for the first time in decades.”
A notable incident involving a lithium battery fire in Lower Manhattan claimed four lives in June. Last November, firefighters executed a daring rope rescue from a high-rise building roof following an e-bike battery explosion in a luxury apartment, where three individuals were trapped in the ensuing blaze. Just last week, members of the same family lost their lives in a Crown Heights, Brooklyn, fire caused by an e-bike.
Kavanagh underscored the heightened vulnerability of delivery workers, or those living in close proximity to them, to fatal fires resulting from lithium battery explosions. These workers depend on e-bikes for their livelihoods, leaving them no choice but to use these vehicles. Emphasizing outreach efforts, Kavanagh confirmed that the FDNY actively educates immigrant communities engaged in gig work about the risks posed by faulty batteries.
However, Kavanagh emphasized that anyone could be at risk, expressing concern about individuals purchasing unregulated devices online during the holiday season. Despite the potential dangers, she reassured the public that not all e-bikes are prone to immediate combustion. The FDNY highlighted the safety of “UL certified” e-bikes and the availability of “smart chargers that can turn off” when not in use.
The primary danger stems from counterfeit lithium batteries, compounded by risks like tampering with secondhand bike batteries. The absence of a national regulatory standard poses a significant obstacle to e-bike battery reform, but Kavanagh insisted that the FDNY is actively advocating for change on Capitol Hill.
In the absence of federal legislation, the FDNY has adopted patchwork enforcement methods, including issuing vacate orders or violations. Kavanagh clarified that the goal is not to impede small businesses or end users, a departure from relying predominantly on issuing tickets, which proved insufficient in deterring unregulated shops from persisting.
Local measures, including a recently enacted law mandating certification for all batteries sold in-state, have been implemented by the City Council to address the crisis. As a last resort, Commissioner Kavanagh offered essential safety tips: avoid placing a bike between yourself and the exit of your residence, and never modify the bike’s battery. Kavanagh emphasized that the only genuinely secure lithium battery is one bearing a distinctive blue UL sticker.
