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 is launching 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 will allow 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.

E-Bike Trade-In logo featuring a delivery person riding an e-bike.

Selected program participants will receive a new UL-certified Fly 11 Pro E-Bike with a spare UL-certified battery in exchange for their unsafe devices and batteries. The term “UL-certified” refers to an electric bicycle (e-bike), electric moped (e-moped), or battery that an accredited testing laboratory has tested and certified. The standards for each type of device are as follows: UL 2849 for e-bikes, UL 2272 for e-mopeds, 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 expected to open on January 27, 2025, at 9 am.
Visit on.nyc.gov/ebiketradein to learn more or sign up for email updates. For questions about the program, please contact us online.

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.