New York City may move towards certified e-bikes for app delivery workers

Uber Eats and DoorDash might be required to provide workers in New York City with certified e-bikes, reports a local ABC news affiliate.

The New York City Council is considering a piece of legislation that would require the delivery app workers to use only e-bikes that have passed certain tests. The hope is that fire safety would be improved by getting uncertified e-bikes and their lithium-ion batteries off the road.

Even though the workers are independent contractors, the retailers would be the ones paying for the certified e-bikes.

City Council member Oswald Feliz told the ABC affiliate that most workers can’t afford the more expensive batteries and instead turn to cheap alternatives.

A firefighter was recently hurt in a warehouse fire in Brooklyn where it was believed an e-bike started the blaze.

The New York City Council claims 208 lithium-ion battery fires have occurred so far this year, resulting in 14 deaths and 116 injuries.

Delivery app businesses believe the legislation is incomplete. Fraud is a concern, as workers could end up selling their e-bikes provided by the retailers.

DoorDash said it might have to stop all e-bike deliveries if the measure is passed and is urging the city to work with the businesses to come up with the best solution.

Related:Uber, DoorDash lose bid to block minimum wage for New York workers

**

The New York City Council is considering legislation that would require delivery app companies to purchase certified e-bikes for their employees. The city is trying to prevent fires from lithium-ion batteries. DoorDash is pushing back, saying the move could lead to fraud, among other things. Do you think certified e-bikes is a tool delivery app companies need to provide to independent contractors? 

Let us know in the comments below, or email your thoughts to the SN staff at [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and work title. And have a great day.