NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL PROPOSE E-BIKE CHARGING STATIONS AT FIRE, POLICE STATIONS

Atlas

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NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL PROPOSE E-BIKE CHARGING STATIONS AT FIRE, POLICE STATIONS

By
Sharon Crowley

Published March 14, 2023 10:01PM

Updated 10:26PM

New York City

FOX 5 NY

Increasing concerns about lithium-ion battery fires in NYC

New York City lawmakers are proposing safe public charging stations for lithium-ion batteries, after what seems like an endless string of fires related to the batteries. But the idea is not sitting well with a former FDNY Commissioner. FOX 5 NY's Sharon Crowley has the story.

Fires sparked by electric bike batteries are causing a wave of concern among New York City lawmakers.

One idea being proposed to prevent these fast moving fires is safe, public charging stations.

City Council member Gale Brewer suggested allowing delivery workers to charge lithium-ion batteries at a fire or police station instead of inside apartment buildings.

Earlier this month, an e-bike battery burst into flames and completely destroyed a Bronx building.

RELATED: After latest battery fire, Bronx officials call for changes

"It seemed to me that might be a solution to the very big problem of the people who deliver our food not having a place to charge their batteries and as a result they are charging them in very dangerous places like basements, back of shops and places where fires are started," Brewer told FOX 5 New York.

The fire department said batteries in e-bikes, electric scooters and other devices have caused more than 200 fires in New York City in the last year.

"Any battery charged at a city facility would have to have a seal on it indicating it was a good battery otherwise it could not be charged," according to the New York City Council.

Former New York City Fire Commissioner Thomas von Essen, who was in charge during 9/11, agreed that something more needs to be done and soon but he does not support Brewer's proposal.

A multi-language public service announcement would be more effective and immediate, according to von Essen.

"What they really need is a massive public safety campaign or public service messages to get it out there to the folks that really need it the most. The poor men and women that are using these bikes for low income jobs. And those are the ones I think that we need to reach in different languages. And I think we need to do it as quickly as possible," von Essen added.

City Council did place restrictions on sales of re-assembled batteries which can be more combustible.

It's not clear what the current FDNY commissioner thinks about charging e-bikes and scooters at a firehouse. The FDNY said the matter is under review.


 
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
264
I can just see the theft of batteries on the rise. Common sense is the big problem here. Leaving batteries at a Firehouse, and Co. catches a job for several hours and now battery and firehouse gone. Who comes up with these insane ideas? Put a timer on the charger so it doesn't cook the battery, set it for an hour or 2, not continuous and maybe fires would stop.
 

Bulldog

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Apr 16, 2008
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This is close to the top of the list of the most ridiculous ideas I've heard proposed! I laughed when they talk about it would be helpful for the delivery people, I'm guessing that number is insignificant compared to the total number of units that would want to be recharged.

The only advantage I can see is that when they burst into flames the fire department would be qualified to put them out!
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
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Any thoughts that come out of city hall are usually rubbish! (Not my first choice of words)
 
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