Mayor Adams Signs E-Bike Battery Safety Law at 70 Mulberry After Chinatown Blaze

• Mayor Adams signed the law at 70 Mulberry St. on June 18.
• The law follows a battery fire on Eldridge St. that injured 6 residents.
• The law requires e-bike charging in city-certified locations by September 1.

The new law responds to a surge in lithium-ion battery fires across Lower Manhattan, with the FDNY clocking 24 such incidents in Chinatown and Two Bridges since January. Mayor Adams stood alongside Councilmember Christopher Marte at the 70 Mulberry community center, an address still scarred by a 2020 fire, to sign the measure after last week’s blaze at 50 Eldridge St. left six injured, including NYPD Officers Chen and Batista from the 5th Precinct.

The law mandates that all commercial e-bike operators and delivery drivers use city-certified charging stations by September 1, 2024. Rental businesses—like Jin’s E-bike Supply on Canal St.—must retrofit stores or risk $1,000 daily fines. “We’re not banning delivery work, but we’re not letting Chinatown burn again,” Adams said, referencing FDNY’s 267 citywide battery blazes so far this year.

Local business owners like Wendy Lin, who manages New Kam Hing Bakery on Baxter, support the move but worry about costs. Lin said, “Most of our delivery guys charge at home or in the alley. We need city help setting up safe spots.” Community organizers, including Chinatown BID’s Wellington Chen, are pushing for subsidized charging hubs on Doyers and Mott.

The Department of Buildings will begin spot inspections next month, focusing on known e-bike depots and residential towers flagged by 311. The city is also rolling out 10 pilot charging stations—including one at Columbus Park—by July 15. Delivery riders say enforcement is needed but must not punish low-income workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the ‘E-Bike Safe Charging’ law actually require?

The law requires all commercial e-bike operators and delivery drivers to use city-certified charging stations for lithium-ion batteries starting September 1, 2024. Businesses must upgrade their charging equipment or face fines, and the city will begin rolling out certified charging hubs in high-risk neighborhoods like Chinatown this summer.

How did recent fires influence this law?

A three-alarm fire at 50 Eldridge St. last week, traced to a faulty e-bike battery, injured six—including two police officers. This incident and 23 other battery-related fires in Chinatown this year pressured City Hall and local Councilmembers to act swiftly.

Where will the new charging stations be located?

The Department of Buildings and DOT are piloting 10 charging stations in Lower Manhattan, with locations at Columbus Park, Doyers St., and along Grand St. Additional hubs will be added based on 311 calls and fire risk data, prioritizing neighborhoods with the highest delivery rider density.