New York City officials are stepping up enforcement against unlawful e‑bikes, scooters and uncertified lithium‑ion batteries after a spate of deadly fires linked to these devices. Commissioner Samuel A. A. Levine of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection told Eyewitness News that the city has already visited more than 200 e‑bike dealers, issued 85 cease‑and‑desist orders and shut down three businesses that continued to sell dangerous products.
Record‑high battery fires spark action
City data show that lithium‑ion battery fires have reached unprecedented levels. Investigators have tied a Bronx blaze that claimed four members of a single family and a recent Sunset Park fire that killed six people to faulty e‑bike or scooter batteries. “People think it’s not going to happen to them,” Levine said. “They need to know the truth, which is that these devices can be very dangerous.”
Enforcement details
Since August, inspectors have issued 41 summonses to online retailers, cited 46 violations involving uncertified batteries, and documented 35 violations for illegal e‑bikes. Dozens of other dealers were cited for failing to display battery safety information. In addition to the three shutdowns, the department seized dozens of batteries that officials described as “extremely dangerous” and capable of causing explosions and fires.
Community response
Many New Yorkers have voiced support for the crackdown, noting that the proliferation of unsafe devices threatens public safety. One East Side resident said, “So many accidents. And the fires, they bring them in and there’s no stability with them. I feel they need to do more.” The commissioner echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that no New Yorker should be purchasing or selling unsafe devices.
What the crackdown means for riders
The city’s actions are intended to protect families and preserve the safety of streets and neighborhoods. By targeting both brick‑and‑mortar dealers and online sellers, officials hope to reduce the flow of substandard batteries that have already caused tragic loss of life. Residents are urged to verify that any e‑bike or scooter they consider purchasing is certified and that the battery complies with city safety standards.
Looking ahead
Levine indicated that the department will continue its inspections and expand outreach to educate consumers about the risks of uncertified batteries. “Nobody in New York should be purchasing unsafe devices. And certainly nobody in New York should be selling unsafe devices and batteries,” he said. The ongoing effort reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding families and upholding public‑safety standards across the city.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
