City Launches Trade-In Program for E-Bikes and Batteries - CityLand

Mayor Adams is joined by other city officials back in July when the administration first announced the lithium ion battery and e-bike exchange program. An e-bike destroyed by a fire can also be seen in the image. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

On October 23, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the final rules regulating the City’s $2 million trade-in program for electric-powered mobility devices, such as electric bikes, and their batteries. This program is part of the City’s “Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan” which aims to mitigate the risk of deadly e-bike fires, caused by uncertified lithium-ion batteries by promoting public safety and reducing the illegal mopeds on City streets.

The City’s trade-in pilot program was created in response to Local Law 131 of 2023, sponsored by New York City Councilmember Keith Powers in response to unsafe and exploded lithium-ion batteries. Last year, there were 224 lithium-ion battery-fires, 122 injuries, and 14 deaths. This year, there have been 222 lithium-ion battery-fires, 88 injuries, and 4 fatalities caused by lithium-ion batteries.

The City’s trade-in pilot program targets eligible food delivery workers to replace their uncertified e-bikes and heavier, electric and gas-powered mopeds, which cannot be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles due to the lack of Vehicle Identification Numbers, with certified e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries.

The e-bikes provided will be compliant with the nationally-recognized standard for e-bike safety and performance, UL-certified. Eligible participants must reside in New York City, be at least 18 years of age, own an eligible working device, and earned at least $1,500 in 2024 as a food delivery worker. Selected participants will receive a UL-certified e-micromobility devices and two compatible UL-certified lithium-ion batteries in exchange for their illegal e-micromobility devices.

The New York City Department of Transportation will conduct a public awareness campaign to attract participants who may apply in early 2025.

The City’s program features battery-swapping cabinets from Popwheels and Swobbee and provides free services to some pre-registered food delivery workers. During the pilot program there were no safety-related issues or 311 complaints at participating locations and the data from this pilot showed that there was enhanced safety for food delivery workers.

The New York City Department of Transportation is working towards other Citywide initiatives to increase New Yorkers transportation mobility while being mindful of public safety. Initiatives include installing wider bike lanes along busy routes, an e-bike charging pilot program for delivery workers, and providing New Yorkers access to education regarding safe and legal e-bike use.

In addition to the trade-in program, the New York City Department of Transportation will soon issue final rules that streamline approvals for property owners to install electric micromobility device battery swapping and charging cabinets on public sidewalks, in the coming months. The rules will outline how property owners or commercial tenants with the consent of the property owner may apply for a permit to install a battery swapping and charging cabinet on the sidewalk in front of their business. Each charging cabinet must comply with regulations and undergo New York City Fire Department and New York Department of Buildings review and approval.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “My top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe, and that includes from new and emerging threats like the dangers posed by uncertified lithium-ion batteries. Thanks to our new trade-in program, eligible frontline delivery workers who keep our city moving will be able to swap their dangerous bikes and batteries for safe versions for free — this is how we make our city safer and more affordable. This initiative builds on our efforts to help New Yorkers charge safe and ride safe — and our efforts are working, with significantly fewer injuries and deaths from lithium-ion battery fires this year compared to last. One death is still one too many, but we are making progress, and the rules we’re finalizing today show that New York City is again leading the nation in getting battery safety done right.”

Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi said, “E-bikes are an important part of reducing pollution but not at the expense of riders, their families, or neighbors. Today, we are proud to accept dangerous e-bikes and, in return, provide zero-emission, safe equipment so hard-working delivery workers can have peace of mind on the job and off.”

By: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)