NEW YORK (PIX11)-- A Bronx man lost his life Thursday night in a fatal lithium-ion battery fire, highlighting the urgent need for the city’s new, first-of-its-kind e-bike safety program aimed at preventing such tragedies.
The deadly apartment fire took the life of a 34-year-old man, according to police.
Neighbors said the man who lost his life, named Michael, was a delivery driver who regularly charged his e-scooter batteries inside his apartment.
The tragedy underscores the urgency of Mayor Eric Adams's new initiative to curb the deadly toll of e-bike fires.
Under the program “Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan,” food delivery workers will be able to trade in unsafe e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries for free with new devices equipped with UL certification—the nationally recognized standard for e-bike safety.
“New Yorkers deserve access to safe devices and batteries, and we are getting them to them, and that’s how we tackle safety, at the same time tackling affordability,” said Mayor Adams.
According to city officials, the city saw 224 lithium-ion battery fires last year, causing 14 deaths.
This year, the city experienced 223 fires and five deaths, including Thursday’s fire.
Blanka is a food delivery worker who has been working for seven years. He said he’s ready to trade in his current e-bike once the program launches next year.
“Whatever’s necessary to stop all the fires,” Blanka said.
Applicants for this program must live in New York City, be 18 years old, own an eligible working device, and have made at least $1,500 as a food delivery worker this year.
The New York City Department of Transportation is launching a public awareness campaign to inform food delivery workers about the program.
Applications will open in early 2025.
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