Updated yesterday at 6:00 a.m.
Winnie Hu
The New York Times
(New York) New York is set to become the first city in the United States to regulate the safety of electric bicycles and scooters, but confusion surrounding the new law has led some to question whether they should be banned.
Here’s what to know about e-bikes in New York.
What is an electric bike in New York?
The City currently allows three categories of e-bikes, all of which must have working pedals and not exceed 25 miles per hour (about 40 kilometers per hour).
E-bikes modified to go faster are not allowed.
Electric scooters, which can be self-contained or fitted with a seat, are allowed if they weigh less than 100 pounds (about 45 kilograms) and do not exceed 15 miles per hour (24 kilometers per hour). Electric mopeds — like those rented by Revel — are also legal, but they must be registered with the state and require a driver’s license to use them.
Bicycles and e-scooters are allowed on bike lanes and on streets where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour). Mopeds (electric and petrol) are not allowed on the cycle paths.
Why are e-bike fires deadly?
Fires related to lithium batteries have killed 14 people and injured 93 others in New York City this year, including a fire at an e-bike store near Chinatown that killed four in June. As of August 14, there were 154 fires this year.
PHOTO BY JOSE A. ALVARADO JR
Charred electric scooters are piled up outside a Manhattan shop where a fire broke out, killing four people.
Batteries, which are also used in laptops and smart phones, can overheat or malfunction, and not just when being charged. In this case, they can start explosive and rapid fires with little or no warning, giving only seconds to get away. Batteries caught fire while located near a door or window, trapping people inside their apartment.
New York authorities have tried to fight these fires on several fronts, including targeting battery safety conditions at e-bike shops, issuing public service announcements about the dangers of electric mobility and making pressure for the state and federal government to exercise greater oversight over e-mobility devices.
What will be the effect of the new law?
Local Law 39, which takes effect Sept. 16, will prohibit the sale or rental of electric bicycles and scooters — and their batteries — that do not meet industry-recognized safety standards.
New York City Consumer and Worker Protection inspectors, enforcing the new law, will begin issuing tickets to stores and retailers on Amazon and other online sites. line who sell or rent non-certified devices, as well as to manufacturers who sell directly in the city.
Inspectors will also issue tickets to dealers of used e-bikes and other e-mobility devices on sites such as Craigslist.
People who use non-certified devices will not be penalized.
Violations can result in fines of up to $1,000 for each type of uncertified device discovered.
But the new law does not cover uncertified personal devices that individuals already own. It also does not apply to devices purchased or rented out of town – in New Jersey or Connecticut, for example – and then used in New York.
The New York law is part of a growing national effort to make e-bikes and other electric mobility devices safer. State lawmakers have proposed a federal safety standard for lithium-ion batteries used in these devices.
What are the safety standards?
New York will require e-bikes to be tested and certified to a specific safety standard, known as UL 2849, which was developed by UL Standards & Engagement, a nonprofit organization, with input from the electric bicycle industry.
Electric scooters will need to meet a similar safety standard, UL 2272. Finally, lithium batteries sold separately for use in e-bikes and other electric mobility devices will need to meet a third standard, UL 2271.
The e-bike standard specifically evaluates a bike’s electrical system, including subjecting its lithium battery to a series of “torture tests” to see how it reacts when overloaded, dropped, punctured with a nail and exposure to vibration, water and temperature extremes.
UL Solutions, a separate, for-profit organization affiliated with UL Standards & Engagement that tests and certifies e-bikes, is not aware of any UL-tested and certified bikes that have caught fire. However, spokesperson Steven Brewster said there are other factors that can cause e-bike batteries to fail, including using a charger that is not compatible with a UL-certified battery.
Currently, UL Solutions maintains a list of over 20 companies that have certified e-bikes and over 40 companies that have certified e-scooters and personal electric mobility devices.
Does New York Ban Electric Bikes and Scooters?
Mayor Eric Adams and City officials have repeatedly stressed that they are not banning e-bikes and scooters from New York City streets. Indeed, they recognize that many commuters and delivery people use electric mobility devices as a greener and more economical way to get around than the car.
PHOTO BY JOSE A. ALVARADO JR
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (in blue) and Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh tour a fire-ravaged Chinatown e-bike shop.
“Legal electric micromobility is an essential part of a safe, fair and sustainable transportation landscape,” said Ydanis Rodriguez, the city’s transportation commissioner, when the new law was approved in March, along with other safety measures for e-bikes. “These devices can make it easier for New Yorkers to get around and are essential tools used by thousands of delivery people to support our economy. »
But confusion reigns around the new law, as building owners are increasingly opting to ban access to all e-bikes and e-scooters, whether or not they have been safety certified.
How can I use my electric bike safely?
According to battery and fire safety experts, the safest place to park and charge an e-bike or e-scooter is outside, but that’s not possible for many city dwellers. In New York, the majority of lithium battery fires have occurred in residential buildings.
Laura Kavanagh, fire marshal, has asked anyone who has a bicycle or other electric mobility device at home to do their own safety inspection.
To find out if your bike has been tested and certified to accepted safety standards, look for a label with the UL holographic mark on the bike’s frame or permanently affixed to its electronics box. The label shows “UL” inside a circle and “Certified”, along with a security number. Type the number on an online site to verify the authenticity of the mark; watch out for counterfeits.
Don’t use uncertified or refurbished batteries, which the City has also banned, and don’t mix batteries and chargers that weren’t designed to go together. Check to see if they are hot or show signs of physical damage.
Don’t leave electric bikes and scooters near any exit, including a door or window, where a fire could keep people out. Do not overcharge batteries or leave plugged-in devices unattended.
This article was originally published in the New York Times.
2023-08-18 05:03:55
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