E-Bikes and Their Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Leading Cause of NYC Fires

Since the pandemic, when E-Bikes first became a big deal in NYC, with almost everyone demanding that food, toilet paper and other products be brought to their doorsteps, E-Bikes have become one of the leading causes of fires in NYC. What are E-Bikes and why are they so dangerous. First of all, an E-Bike is an electric bicycle, typically powered by a lithium-ion battery, known mostly for its longevity, lasting typically ten times longer than lead-acid batteries, often exceeding 5 years.

Lithium-ion batteries are generally safe. If you follow proper storage, charging, and discarding procedures, they are unlikely to fail or catch fire. However, at least in NYC, where there are over 65,000 E-Bikes, mostly driven by food-delivery personnel working for companies such as Uber Eats or Grubhub, and even work commuters, that is not always the case. 

According to the FDNY (Fire Department of New York), lithium-ion battery fires caused 270 fires, injured 150 people and killed 18 in 2023. And this year is not shaping up to be any better. As of Feb. 26, officials said there have been 31 fires related to the batteries, along with 36 injuries and one death. A fire in a Harlem apartment building, caused by a lithium-ion battery from an E-Bike, killed a 27-year old man and injured 30 people. The problem is not due to the battery itself, but to the replacement of original equipment from the battery manufacturer with used and/or second-hand batteries from bike and other dealers throughout the city, most of whom are unauthorized to sell such batteries. When charged, typically in the homes or apartments of the E-Bike owners, a deadly fire can occur.

The FDNY has run public service announcements warning people about the dangers of the batteries, especially those that aren’t certified and don’t meet safety standards. The smoke from these devices is so toxic that, if it reaches your apartment, you’re immediately overcome by the toxic gas. To combat the presence of the faulty batteries in the city, the FDNY’s Lithium-Ion Task Force carries out inspections throughout the five boroughs. But these warnings and inspections from FDNY are not being heeded by the drivers or the stores selling illicit batteries to them, thus necessitating legislation by the NYC Council and the Mayor's Office.

Although some in the city have called for an outright ban on storing E-Bikes in apartment buildings, the Mayor and City Council has opted instead for legislation calling for stricter regulations on E-Bikes and lithium-ion batteries sold in the city. The City Council has also introduced legislation to install safe charging stations and provide reduced-cost or free lithium-ion batteries that meet safety standards. FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh vowed this month to continue cracking down on businesses that offer to replace individual battery cells from old ones, a fire code violation that creates what she called "Frankenstein Batteries".“They kill people, they have killed people and they will kill more people if businesses continue to operate in this manner,” Kavanagh said. But while New York has pushed businesses and consumers to follow new UL standards for the batteries, Flynn noted that there was little the city could do about older units coming in from other states that do not require such regulations. U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), however, is pushing for a nationwide standard to help put an end to the “unprecedented crisis in fire safety.” “Poorly manufactured and poorly handled lithium-ion batteries are ticking time bombs in American homes and businesses,” Torres said during a congressional hearing mid-February urging passage of the Setting Consumer Standards For Lithium-ion Batteries Act.

Congressman Torres, it appears, has the support of fire chiefs around the country who are trying to inform and warn the public about how dangerous lithium-ion batteries can be. The situation is getting more and more deadly as fires occur, and they too believe that a Federal Safety Standard is absolutely needed for lithium-ion batteries. As the Warnings Doctor, I enthusiastically endorse such a standard, but until such a code is passed by Congress, I urge consumers NOT to charge or store their E-Bikes in their homes or apartments and to absolutely NOT purchase secondary-market or used batteries to replace their existing batteries when they no longer can sustain a charge. Only purchase replacement batteries from the original manufacturer.


THIS JUST IN: PUBLISHED March 13, 2024, DAILY NEWS

Lithium-ion e-bike battery sparks Bronx fire, dramatic escapes leaving 10 hurt

Full article>


Check out my latest podcast "EXPOSED! An Exclusive Look Behind the Curtain of Corporate Greed"

Check out my book "Murder, Inc.: How Unregulated Industry Kills or Injures Thousands of Americans Every Year...And What You Can Do About It". Available in Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle & Audiobook on Amazon now.

WARNING: USING AI FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSES MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • April 30, 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of healthcare, particularly in the realm of medical diagnosis. From analyzing medical images to predicting disease risk, AI-driven tools are increasingly being integrated into clinical workflows. While the potential benefits are substantial—improved accuracy, faster diagnoses, and expanded access to care—there are also meaningful risks that warrant careful scrutiny. Understanding both sides is essential for clinicians, policymakers, and patients alike.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: A GROWING FIRE RISK IN OUR HOMES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • March 31, 2026
Lithium-ion batteries power much of modern life. From smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools, and even home energy storage systems, these compact and efficient batteries are everywhere. But as their use has expanded, so too has a serious and often underestimated danger: the risk of fire. Lithium-ion battery fires are not like typical household fires. They burn hotter, spread faster, and can reignite even after appearing to be extinguished. These fires are caused by a process known as “thermal runaway,” where damage, overheating, or internal defects trigger a chain reaction inside the battery. Once this process begins, it can release flammable gases, cause explosions, and produce intense flames that are difficult to control.

WARNING: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S EPA IS DISMANTLING REGULATIONS PROTECTING US FROM PFAS, PUTTING OUR LIVES AT RISK

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • February 27, 2026
1. Weakening National Drinking Water Standards  In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first federally enforceable National Primary Drinking Water Rule (NPDWR) for six PFAS, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), PFBS, and mixtures of these chemicals. These rules established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and required monitoring and treatment timelines for public water systems. Under Trump's EPA, this landmark public health rule is being undone :

THE SILENT WINTER THREAT: CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DURING STORMS AND POWER OUTAGES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • January 27, 2026
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere brings cold weather, snow, and often severe storms. These conditions can lead to power outages that last hours or even days. When electricity is lost and temperatures plummet, many households turn to alternative heating methods or portable power generators. While these actions are understandable, they can expose families to a perilous and often invisible threat: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning . 

HOLIDAY FOOD SAFETY: PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM SALMONELLA & LISTERIA THIS THANKSGIVING

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • November 24, 2025
As Thanksgiving approaches, kitchens across the country are about to come alive with the sounds and smells of holiday cooking. While this season brings family, gratitude, and plenty of delicious food, it also comes with a serious and often overlooked risk: foodborne illness. In the U.S., Salmonella and Listeria remain two of the most dangerous and persistent causes of food poisoning—especially during the holidays, when increased food preparation, crowded refrigerators, and large holiday meals create ideal conditions for bacterial growth.Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner or you’re a seasoned holiday chef, brushing up on a few key food safety practices can help you keep your loved ones healthy and your celebration memorable for all the right reasons.

ARE WAYMOS SAFER THAN HUMANS DRIVING A CAR?

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • October 30, 2025
The race to develop autonomous vehicles (AVs) has reached a pivotal moment. Alphabet-owned Waymo, widely regarded as the frontrunner in the field, has rolled out fully driverless taxis in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to additional cities. But as more Waymo vehicles hit public roads without human drivers, the question looms large: Are they truly safer than the people they’re replacing behind the wheel?

TACKLING SAFETY: FOOTBALL, CTE, AND WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES THE GAME SAFER

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • October 13, 2025
We are now in the middle of another football season, and the question, as asked every year: Is this sport safe enough for our high school, college, and professional athletes to play? Football has always been a violent sport of collision, glory, and growing concern. Over the last decade, research tying repetitive head impacts to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has shaken parents, players, and the game’s governing bodies. The central realities are straightforward but sobering: repeated head impacts — both diagnosed concussions and the many “sub-concussive” blows players take — are linked to later-life brain pathology; helmets and add-ons can lower impact forces, but no helmet or cover has been shown to prevent CTE; and rule and culture changes that reduce the number and severity of head impacts are where the biggest gains lie.

CHAOS AT THE CDC: A THREAT TO AMERICA’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • September 10, 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long been viewed as the nation’s front-line defense against disease outbreaks, health emergencies, and public health threats. But today, the agency faces internal turmoil, political interference, and organizational confusion that experts warn could have dangerous consequences for the U.S. healthcare system—and for ordinary Americans.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY FLOODS: DID WARNINGS FAIL VICTIMS?

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • August 7, 2025
From July 3–4, 2025, Central Texas—especially Kerr County and the Guadalupe River basin—experienced catastrophic flash flooding that claimed over 130 lives, including children and staff at Camp Mystic. As grief and outrage settle, survivors and officials alike are questioning whether enough was done to warn those most at risk.

TEXAS LEADS THE NATION: WARNING LABELS ON ADDITIVES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • July 9, 2025
On June 22, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 25 (SB25), known as the Make Texas Healthy Again Act. Beginning January 1, 2027, Texas will require prominent on-pack warning labels whenever food sold in the state contains any of 44 specific additives—including synthetic colorants like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, titanium dioxide, bleached flour, and partially hydrogenated oils. The mandated label must declare the following:
Show More