Two more fatalities in New York City due to bike battery fire

Bike batteries are back in the spotlight in New York after the deadly fire that occurred a few days ago. A real problem in the city of skyscrapers that is also beginning to cause concern among European authorities due to the obvious safety problem caused by the modifications that many users make to their electric bikes and other mobility vehicles to achieve greater performance and autonomy.

Modified bike batteries create real safety problem in New York City

The arrival of electric bicycles and personal mobility vehicles in city traffic, although it has been a breath of fresh air for cities increasingly crowded with vehicles, has also generated a multitude of problems such as those suffered for some years in New York due to fires caused by lithium batteries of dubious origin.

The latest, just a couple of days ago, occurred in an apartment building in the borough of Queens, taking the lives of a 7-year-old boy and his 19-year-old sister who were trapped on the second floor of the building after a violent deflagration occurred in an electric bike that was being charged in the building's lobby.

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A situation that is repeated in the Big Apple with 220 fires produced by this cause over the past year, resulting in 6 deaths and 147 injuries. In fact, so far in 2023 alone, the New York Fire Department has already reported 59 fires caused by lithium batteries.

An accident rate that is associated with the purchase of batteries over the Internet without the necessary approvals and the modifications that many users make to their bikes and scooters either to bypass the assistance limitations imposed by the legislation or to achieve greater autonomy in their vehicles and that has led the New York authorities to even consider banning electric bikes and scooters and to establish control measures on the battery market.

A concern that has also reached Europe, which is beginning to be aware of the need to tighten regulations regarding the sale of lithium batteries and their repair, which, like any of the aforementioned manipulations, is also associated with the fires produced by them.

In any case, it is important to remember the safety recommendations associated with these electric vehicles, starting by always purchasing products with the appropriate approvals. In addition, we must carefully read the indications described in the vehicle and battery manuals regarding the permitted operating temperature ranges, storage methods and, above all, the charging procedure.

It is also advisable to pay attention to the devices we are charging and not to leave them unattended. Especially, do not keep them connected longer than necessary for charging. Of course, if we observe that the battery becomes excessively hot, gives off an odor or there is any damage to its structure, we should stop using it immediately.