City Launches Free E-Bike Trade-In Program for Food Delivery Drivers

By Y.M. Lowy

Fires sparked by uncertified e-bike batteries have become commonplace across NYC.

This week, NYC launched its first-ever E-Bike Trade-In Program, giving food delivery workers a chance to exchange unsafe bikes or mopeds for certified e-bikes and batteries, completely free, to remove fire hazards one bike at a time.

At the first trade-in event, 30 workers received new equipment. Over the summer, more than 400 delivery workers will each walk away with a certified e-bike and two batteries. These upgrades meet top fire safety standards and come with a required safety training course. The program is part of the city’s Charge Safe, Ride Safe plan, created after a rise in fires caused by overheating batteries.

The FDNY is also leading a $1 million campaign to raise awareness about battery fires, over half of which began last year when batteries weren’t even charging.