NYC finalizes e-mobility trade-in program for food-delivery workers | Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

NEW YORK (BRAIN) — Mayor Eric Adams this week finalized the city's e-mobility device and battery trade-in program for food-delivery workers.

The pilot program to get uncertified e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries off the streets, in addition to gas-powered mopeds, is one aspect of the Charge Safe, Ride Safe plan to address battery fires in the city.

Amendments made to the $2 million trade-in program following an August public hearing included:

Selected participants — who must live in the city, be at least 18, own an eligible working device, and have earned at least $1,500 in the past year as a food delivery worker — will receive a UL-certified e-bike and two compatible UL-certified batteries in exchange for their uncertified device and batteries. Delivery workers receive two batteries because many report that a full day requires an extra battery.

While the overall number of fires hasn't changed much year-over-year (222 this year so far compared with 224 last year), injuries have been reduced from 122 to 88 and deaths from 14 to four. Officials credit several recent initiatives for the reduction: