Proposed Bill Mandates Fire Safety Measures in New York E-Bike Stores

The newly introduced New York State bill requires e-bike shops to implement enhanced fire safety precautions as part of a package of e-bike safety bills. State Sen. Iwen Chu, a Democrat, introduced the legislation, emphasizing the urgency to save lives amidst the e-bike fire crisis. E-bikes utilize flammable lithium-ion batteries and have caused extensive fire-related damage and fatalities in New York City. Chu’s bill would enforce fire monitoring, Class B extinguishers in e-bike shops, new battery standards, and testing and certification for batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters in New York State. Additionally, it would mandate retailers to remind e-bike users not to ride on sidewalks. City officials and legislators are working to address the safety challenges that have arisen from the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, and are seeking bipartisan support for legislation to improve product safety standards for lithium-ion batteries. Overall, there is a concerted effort to mitigate the risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters to ensure public safety.