E-Bike Programs

E-bikes have become a popular way to get around the city, particularly among delivery workers. NYC is working to promote the growth of electric micromobility in ways that meet New Yorkers’ diverse needs while keeping everyone safe. Mayor Adams’ Charge Safe, Ride Safe Action Plan is focused on building a safe, welcoming environment for e-bike riders. The programs described below are integral to advancing this vision.

E-Bike Trade-In Program

NYC DOT launched the first-of-its-kind E-Bike Trade-In Program to get unsafe e-bikes, illegal mopeds, and their batteries off the streets and out of New Yorkers’ homes. The program allows eligible food delivery workers to replace their unsafe devices with certified, high-quality e-bikes and compatible batteries. The program aims to enhance public safety by reducing the fire risks posed by uncertified lithium-ion batteries from e-bikes and removing faster and heavier illegal mopeds from our streets.

Selected program participants will receive a new certified Whizz Storm 2 e-bike with a spare certified battery in exchange for their unsafe devices and batteries. The term “certified” refers to an electric bicycle (e-bike) or battery that has been tested and certified to a UL standard by an accredited testing laboratory. The applicable standards are: UL 2849 for e-bikes, and UL 2271 for batteries. For more information, please visit NYC DOT's Electric Bicycles & More webpage or visit DCWP’s Inspection Checklists (see Micromobility Devices and Batteries).

The application period is closed. Approved participants will be notified by email about next steps.

Sign up for email updates For questions about the program, please contact us online.

E-Bike Battery Swapping and Charging Cabinets on Public Sidewalks

To reduce the fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries, NYC supports the installation of outdoor e-bike battery charging and swapping cabinets on public sidewalks. Through an agreement with NYC DOT called a revocable consent, property owners and tenants can petition to install e-bike battery swapping and charging cabinets adjacent to their buildings in the public right-of-way.

Each e-bike battery swapping and charging cabinet will need to comply with existing siting requirements for revocable consents. This includes clear path requirements to make sure there is space for the comfortable movement of pedestrians and minimum clearance requirements from existing elements such as subway entrances and bus stops.

NYC DOT will accept requests via the revocable consent process. This process can take about one year and concludes once an agreement is registered with the NYC Comptroller's Office. All cabinets must be sited in accordance with the requirements of NYC DOT, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB).

Learn more about the process for applying for and installing e-bike battery swapping and charging cabinets on public sidewalks (pdf) Visit our Revocable Consents webpage for additional information on the petition process Visit the FDNY webpage on cabinets to learn more about their guidelines

E-Bike Battery Charging Pilot

To promote the safe use of e-bikes and reduce fire risks, NYC DOT launched an e-bike charging pilot program to test different battery charging technologies on the street. This program is an initiative under the DOT Innovation Studio, a research and development program developed in collaboration with Newlab and with support from the Economic Development Corporation.

NYC DOT’s e-bike charging stations feature battery-swapping cabinets from Popwheels and Swobbee and provide free services to a group of pre-registered food delivery workers. These test users were enrolled in the pilot program at recruitment events hosted by NYC DOT and participating companies.

The initial six-month pilot program ended in September 2024. However, NYC DOT is providing a service extension for the participating battery-swapping services at three pilot locations.

image of cyclists using the NYC DOT's public e-bike charging station.

Six-Month Pilot Findings

Initial results from the pilot program showed strong participation levels amongst registered delivery workers and a reduction, and some elimination, of home charging.

Safer Charging, Safer Deliveries: Lessons from NYC DOT's Public E-Bike Charging Pilot Program provides an overview of the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the E-Bike Charging Pilot in 2024.

Locations

Pre-registered test users can still receive free battery-swapping services at these three charging hubs:
  • Cooper Square, Manhattan
  • Essex Market, Manhattan
  • Plaza de las Americas, Manhattan

Technology Companies

Two technology companies are participating in the service extension:
  • Battery-swapping cabinets by Swobbee: Test users have on-demand access to cabinets with UL-certified, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Only batteries provided and maintained by Swobbee can be charged in their cabinets.
  • Battery-swapping cabinets by Popwheels: Test users have on-demand access to cabinets with UL-certified, lithium-ion batteries. Only batteries furnished, distributed, and maintained by Popwheels can be charged in their cabinets.
Two battery-swapping cabinets for charging e-bike batteries.
Battery-swapping cabinets at Cooper Square in Manhattan

Partners

Partnerships are central to the success of this program. The NYC Fire Department (FDNY) has been a key partner in the evaluation and selection of the participating charging products. FDNY is closely involved in the deployment of the technologies and the ongoing monitoring of the stations. The program team has also engaged food delivery workers in the program design, product evaluation, and site selection. As the highest-mile traveled e-bike user, they provide unique insight into the battery charging needs of commercial cyclists.