Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2025
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
NYC DOT Begins Distributing Certified, Safe E-Bikes and Batteries to Delivery Workers to Cut Down on Fires and Get Illegal Devices off City Streets
NYC DOT To Distribute E-Bikes And Batteries To More Than 400 New York City Delivery Workers
Agency Also Reopens Application Portal For Workers Who Would Like To Join Program’s Waitlist
Commissioner Rodriguez, Commissioner Tucker, and others with a delivery worker receiving a fire-safe certified e-bike at the E-Bike Trade-In pilot program event. Credit: NYC DOT
NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Robert Tucker today began distributing fire-safe, certified e-bikes and e-batteries at no cost to hundreds of food delivery workers as part of the city’s E-Bike Trade-In pilot program. The first-ever municipal program of its kind allows food delivery workers to trade in their uncertified e-bikes or illegal mopeds for one certified e-bike and two certified batteries. The program is part of the Adams administration’s Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan to promote public safety amid growing e-bike use. The trade-ins aim to help reduce the risk of deadly e-battery fires, often caused by uncertified equipment, and enhance street safety by getting faster and heavier illegal mopeds off our streets. NYC DOT plans to distribute 30 e-bikes Thursday during the first of a series of trade-in events.
“Safer certified e-bikes, batteries, and charging practices will protect all New Yorkers from deadly fires,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Delivery workers have one of the toughest jobs in New York City and supporting their work is part of our efforts to create a safer, more sustainable future. We were thrilled to host this event today and give these workers greater peace of mind as they provide their essential service to New Yorkers.”
“Uncertified lithium-ion batteries are extremely dangerous and even deadly. We are proud to partner with the DOT in this effort to get these unsafe, uncertified devices off the street,” said FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker. “This trade-in program will protect the public, and our first responders charged with responding to fires caused by these batteries.”
NYC DOT also announced that the application window for the program will reopen from June 12 at 9 AM to June 30 at 9 PM for eligible food delivery workers who did not apply during the first round and would like to join the program’s waitlist. Interested applicants can apply through the program’s application portal.
NYC DOT will be distributing one e-bike and two batteries each to more than 400 delivery workers who applied to participate in the pilot program over a series of trade-in events this summer. The eligible delivery workers are required to bring their uncertified e-bikes and illegal mopeds to the events, which NYC DOT will responsibly dispose of and recycle. The first event, on Thursday, took place at a NYC DOT facility in upper Manhattan.
The $2 million trade-in program was established in response to Local Law 131 of 2023 sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers. The e-bikes and batteries provided will be certified by an accredited testing laboratory to meet UL 2849 and UL 2271 respectively, the global standards for e-bike and battery quality and fire safety.
Uncertified batteries are more likely to overheat and ignite, and when they do, these types of fires spread rapidly, generate intense heat, and are challenging to extinguish.
NYC DOT promoted the applications for the program in six languages between January and March 2025, establishing eligibility requirements to target delivery workers in New York City.
To receive the e-bike and spare battery, selected participants will have to complete an online safety training course to ensure e-bike users maintain safe riding practices for themselves, for pedestrians, and for other road users.
Charge Safe, Ride Safe.
In addition to the e-bike trade-in program, Mayor Adams’ Charge Safe, Ride Safe Action Plan is focused on building a safe, welcoming environment for e-bike riders citywide. To promote the safe use of e-bikes and reduce risk of deadly e-bike fires, often caused by uncertified batteries, NYC DOT allows property owners and tenants to seek approval to install electric micromobility device battery swapping and charging cabinets on sidewalks through Revocable Consent.
On city streets, NYC DOT has begun installing wider bike lanes on busy routes, including along sections of Second Avenue, Third Avenue, Sixth Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Ninth Avenue, and Tenth Avenue in Manhattan—as well as along 31st Avenue in Queens. Wider bike lanes provide a comfortable riding experience by creating passing space for e-bike users and promote social, side-by-side riding for families and riders of all ages.
Additionally, the FDNY launched a $1 million public education and awareness campaign this summer on the dangers of unsafe lithium-ion batteries, following data showing that 59 percent of 2023’s lithium-ion battery fires started when those batteries were not charging.
“I commend NYC DOT Commissioner Rodriguez and FDNY Commissioner Tucker for implementing this latest initiative to get dangerous uncertified e-bikes and illegal mopeds off our streets and encourage all eligible delivery workers in my district to take advantage of this new program to help keep pedestrians across our city safe,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat.
“This is government at its best—NYC DOT and FDNY stepping up to protect lives while honoring the labor that keeps this city running. By implementing Local Law 131 with urgency and care, we are replacing danger with safety, and chaos with clarity,” said State Senator Robert Jackson. “Our delivery workers—many of them immigrants—deserve more than gratitude; they deserve action. This trade-in program delivers that promise, with certified equipment that protects not only riders, but entire buildings, blocks, and boroughs. This is how we legislate equity and build a safer, more just New York—one battery at a time.”
“This first of its kind program is a critical measure to keep New Yorkers safe,” said City Councilmember Keith Powers. “Fires from unregulated e-bike batteries have already caused too much harm, including tragic loss of life. I am proud to have passed this important legislation, and I am thrilled to see the program kick off today, ensuring users have access to safe e-bikes and the batteries that go with them.”
“Worker’s Justice Project (WJP) applauds the NYC Department of Transportation for this historic, first-in-the-nation achievement in providing safe and certified e-bikes and e-batteries for the city’s app delivery workers,” said Ligia Guallpa, WJP’s executive director and co-founder of its Los Deliveristas Unido campaign. “Today demonstrates what is possible when workers organize for their safety and rights and find true partners in city government willing to demonstrate that centering worker safety can drive cutting-edge innovations to meet transportation needs.”