In the past few years, micro-electric transportation has evolved from a niche mode of transportation to a mainstream choice for all kinds of people around the world, and the emergence of various products such as electric bicycles, electric scooters, and electric motorcycles has also expanded into a wide range of categories. Many low-income New Yorkers living in transportation deserts today are increasingly turning to microtransportation as a sustainable, affordable alternative to long, complex and expensive commutes. Currently, 65,000 riders in New York rely on e-bikes to deliver food and packages, a difficult and challenging job that sometimes requires them to ride more than 100 miles a day.
Despite the many benefits micro-vehicles bring to New Yorkers, some recent fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have prompted the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to propose banning the passage and use of electric bicycles in its 335 residential developments to protect New Yorkers from potential harm. Addressing the potential dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries is necessary and urgent, but this blanket ban will threaten the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people.
Before adopting such a draconian regulatory solution, it is crucial to understand the root cause of the problem. The most common cause of fires is because low-quality e-mobility products flood the market, and many products that do not comply with New York State e-bike laws and regulations are purchased and used. The gold standard for e-bike safety is certified by standards developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). To achieve UL certification, the entire electrical system of the vehicle, including the battery, motor, and charger, needs to be tested to ensure that their design works together. The lower-quality, lower-priced model is a combination of multiple parts, which causes problems.
That's why many New Yorkers, including Los Deliveristas, a social justice organization representing some 65,000 delivery workers, are calling on New York State to find alternatives to the ban that protects residents of New York's transportation centers from fire hazards without affecting access or jeopardizing the development of this affordable, sustainable mobility option. In fact, after purchasing compliant products, as long as electric vehicles are not brought into public spaces such as residential buildings and elevator rooms, and do not connect wires to charge electric bicycles, many accidents can be avoided. Few people would want to take their bikes into elevators, public hallways, or apartments if there were safe outdoor spaces to charge and park micro-electric vehicles in various public places than a one-size-fits-all ban, but bike theft in New York State has increased by 78% over the past few years, and for cycling workers, a stolen bike means a large amount of unplanned expenses.
Considering the many benefits brought by electric bicycles, the local government also intends to provide corresponding incentives for electric bicycles that meet UL standards to ensure that low- and middle-income people in cities can also buy compliant electric vehicles, and further avoid accidents caused by the use of non-compliant products. The $500-$700 subsidy is enough for thousands of New Yorkers to afford a high-quality e-bike, ensuring they can find work, commute smoothly, and significantly reduce the risk of fires. The City of Denver's recently launched E-Bike Incentive Program has been a huge success as part of its Climate Action Rebate program, with more than 3,600 e-bikes purchased to date, with each new batch of vouchers being collected within minutes.
In city after city, e-bikes have proven their worth as a basic means of transportation. Their rise, in any country, is unstoppable. A ban, no matter how well-intentioned it is, has the potential to have unintended consequences, pushing the harm elsewhere, and extended consequences that may be harder to prevent. From our point of view, the challenges and opportunities for electric bicycles are to strengthen the product quality and safety management of production and sales, establish and effectively implement the inspection and acceptance system for incoming and outgoing goods, refuse to produce and sell assembled, illegally added or illegally modified electric bicycles, and be responsible for every product we produce and sell. From a cyclist's point of view, it is already safe to use this flexible, convenient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation by standardizing use, following the rules and not taking chances—no matter where they live.
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