NEW YORK (BRAIN) — The City Council met with the city's Committee on Consumer Worker Protection on Monday to discuss a bill that would require third-party delivery app companies like DoorDash to provide workers access to certified e-bikes and batteries and another that would require workers taking an e-bike safety course developed by the Department of Transportation.
A new bill also was introduced Monday aimed at curbing the rising lithium-ion fires, requiring e-bike or e-scooter businesses to obtain a license to operate in the city.
Councilman Oswald Feliz announced during the news conference last month the legislation that would establish safety standards for food delivery services. It would require any powered mobility device operated by a food delivery worker on behalf of third-party delivery or courier services to meet local standards. Last month, New York City began requiring all e-bikes, as well as other powered mobility devices and lithium-ion batteries, to meet certification requirements like UL to be sold in the city.
According to Feliz's bill, third-party delivery or courier services would be responsible for compliance, with civil penalties handed down for violations. The safety course would cover lawful operation of e-bikes and proper lithium-ion battery handling and charging. It also would require third-party delivery companies to provide workers with helmets, lights, bell or other signaling device, and reflective material. It would be up to the delivery companies to make sure workers complete the course.
E-bike or e-scooter companies applying for a license under Councilwoman Gale A. Brewer's new bill would require businesses obtaining liability insurance and certify compliance with safety regulations. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection could deny or refuse license renewal or suspend or revoke a license. Businesses could be subjected to civil penalties for violations.
Also during the meeting, the council once again called on Congress to pass and for President Joe Biden to sign the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-ion Batteries Act and requested the New York State Assembly to pass and Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a resolution that would establish lithium-ion battery standards and prohibit the sale of second-use batteries for use in e-bikes and e-scooters.
