ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--E-BIKES AND THE LITHIUM BATTERIES HAVE BEEN LINKED TO A NUMBER OF FIRES THAT RESULTED IN DEATHS AND INJURIES ACROSS THE STATE-- INCLUDING AN ELMIRA RESIDENT LAST YEAR.  

“No one should ever, ever worry that an e-bike they use to make a living is also putting themselves, their families and their neighbors in harm's way,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES SUCH as CREATING A CONSISTENT SAFETY STANDARD FOR ION-LITHIUM BATTERIES—BANNING BATTERIES THAT DON’T MEET THE STANDARD AND PENALIZING MANUFACTURERS TRYING TO SELL SUBSTANDARD BATTERIES. 

“We haven't put a check on the greedy manufacturers that put profit over safety and flood the market with cheap malfunctioning batteries. Here in New York, that changes today,” said Hochul. 

THE NEW LAWS WILL ALSO PROMOTE AWARENESS ABOUT HOW TO SAFELY CHARGE AND STORE E-BIKES. STATE AGENCIES WILL HAVE TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN SAFETY RESOURCES AND RETAILERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO INCLUDE AN OPERATING MANUAL.   
 
E-BIKES WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO COME WITH A BRIGHT RED TAG STATING THE BIKES SHOULD NOT BE PLUGGED IN ONCE THEY ARE FULLY CHARGED.  
 
LAWMAKERS STRESS THESE NEW LAWS ARE AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP FOR E-BIKE AND LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY.
 
“Mobility patterns will continue to evolve, and government will continue to improve the rules of the road. No one is saying that this is the last that we will do on this issue. But we are saying is that unambiguously New Yorkers will be safer,” said Assembly Member Alex Bores (D-Assembly District 73).