10/21/2023 0 Comments Bike safety checklistOpinion: What the WHO aspartame findings mean for your diet As these types of provisions and guidelines are established, enforcing them will be key to ensure proper e-bike and e-scooter use, storage and maintenance. New York City, for instance, now requires e-bikes, e-mobility devices, e-scooters and light electric vehicle battery packs to be certified to product standards by an accredited testing laboratory. While it is up to federal, state and local jurisdictions to identify the needs within a given community, regulations should include limiting the number of devices allowed in various occupancies establishing guidelines that help keep e-bikes and e-scooters away from exit doors and windows creating protocols for safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries and requiring that batteries bear the mark of an accredited testing laboratory. This ecosystem of safety is critical right now, particularly among businesses that sell, rent or repair e-bikes and scooters, as well as those that rely on them for delivery services. Olivier Laurent/The Washington Post/Getty Images Each area can play a crucial role in addressing the safety risks of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.Ī Skip electric scooter on fire on the corner of 13th Street NW and I Street NW on May 30, 2019. Solving complex fire and life safety problems demands a comprehensive approach that includes regulatory action for using and enforcing codes and standards, well-trained and resourced first responders and public education on the threat and actions that can be taken to avoid harm. However, these problems are not insurmountable. Given the rapidly increasing reliance on devices like e-bikes and e-scooters by people who need them for their livelihood, including many who are often in lower income brackets and may be living and charging devices in multi-family housing, the problems become compounded. Even when lithium-ion battery fires appear to be extinguished, the batteries can reignite days or even weeks later, due to energy that remains trapped inside the damaged battery cells. Fed by a process known as thermal runaway, the blazes can spew toxic fumes and generally require copious amounts of water to be extinguished. When an e-bike or e-scooter fire starts, like any other lithium-ion battery fire, it can be exceptionally difficult to control. For example, the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) has reported that there have been more than 100 lithium-ion battery fires this year, killing 13 people.Ī recent fire in an e-bike repair store in lower Manhattan, causing four deaths and subsequently reigniting days after being extinguished, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. Yet, as the use of these batteries becomes more prevalent, especially in e-bikes and e-scooters, significant safety challenges are on full and catastrophic display. Research shows that the lithium-ion battery market was valued at more than $48 billion in 2022 and is expected to continue to rise. Additional lights are a good idea, especially red rear flashers, light colored clothing, and extra reflectors.įor more information, please refer to our Bike Safety Flyer.They allow us to be more mobile, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. Cyclists are required by state law to use front white lights, rear red reflectors, pedal and side reflectors at night. You may be cited for running stop signs, riding at an unsafe speed for conditions, riding on the wrong side of the road, wearing headphones while riding, talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, not having legal brakes, etc. Ride in the correct direction in one-way areasĪccording the California Vehicle Code, every person riding a bicycle upon a street or highway has all the rights and responsibilities of the driver of a motor vehicle.How to Complete an ABC Quick Check on your bike.Have your brakes adjusted and working properly, refer to the pre-ride safety checklist (PDF, 34 KB).Don't use a cell phone while riding unless using a hands-free device.How to Fit a Helmet & Video Instructions.The Campus Bike Shop offers quality bike helmets for $35. ![]()
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