So now, the department is mandating that property owners distribute a safety guide to tenants with lifesaving advice about lithium-ion batteries."Including which e-bike batteries are safe, which ones are not safe, how to properly charge these e-bike batteries and also when to charge them," Feliz said. "So, for example, not to charge them overnight when you're sleeping."Feliz has proposed a bill that would only allow the sale of batteries that are nationally certified.
"How many people are going to really pay attention and do the right thing?" said Frank Ricci, the owner of a four-family apartment building and the executive vice president of the Rent Stabilization Association.He said the FDNY's efforts are sincere but he does not have faith in the public. "I question how many people are actually going to read the notifications and actually do something that's safe for other residents of the building," Ricci said.— Frank Ricci, Rent Stabilization Association
Some New Yorkers told FOX 5 NY that they support the FDNY's campaign to educate the public about the dangers of e-bike and scooter batteries but they believe that new laws and regulations are needed. "I don't think they should be able to charge bikes that could explode in apartments," one person said.
Registration and insurance coming next
Just the beginning folks