On June 12, 2025, the New York City Department of Transportation and Fire Department began distributing certified fire-safe e-bikes and e-batteries to food delivery workers through the city’s E-Bike Trade-In pilot program. In both 2023 and 2024, there were over 200 fires each year from lithium-ion batteries resulting in almost 200 injuries and multiple deaths. Uncertified batteries can overheat and ignite, and the battery’s cells can enable a fire to spread quickly with intense heat.
The $2 million trade-in program was finalized last fall. Transportation will distribute one e-bike and two batteries to over 400 delivery workers who applied during the pilot program, through trade-in events this summer. The bikes and batteries distributed will be certified to meet UL 2849 and UL 2271 by an accredited testing laboratory. Participating delivery workers must bring in their uncertified bikes, which the city will properly dispose of.
The first trade-in event occurred on June 12th at a Transportation facility. To promote the program, Transportation had the application available in six languages. Selected participants must also complete an online safety training course promoting safe riding practices. The application window for the program has now reopened, and will be open until June 30th for delivery workers interested in joining the waitlist. The application portal can be found here.
Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated, “Safer certified e-bikes, batteries, and charging practices will protect all New Yorkers from deadly fires. 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.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)