Deadly fires drive NYC crackdown on illegal e-bikes, unsafe batteries

Deadly fires drive NYC crackdown on illegal e-bikes, unsafe batteries N.J. Burkett reported live from the East Side of Manhattan. WABC By N.J. Burkett Monday, November 9, 2026 10:31PM Share EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Tens of thousands of e-bikes, scooters and mopeds crisscross New York City's streets every day. But city officials say illegal devices and unsafe lithium-ion batteries are helping drive a growing public safety crisis that has been linked to some of the city's deadliest fires. The city has launched an aggressive crackdown on illegal e-bikes, scooters and uncertified batteries, targeting sellers and online retailers that officials say continue to put dangerous products into the hands of consumers. The enforcement push comes as lithium-ion battery fires have reached record levels. Officials say the batteries, commonly used to power e-bikes and scooters, have been linked to a Bronx blaze that killed four members of the same family and may also have caused a Sunset Park fire last week that claimed six lives. "People think it's not going to happen to them," Samuel A. A. Levine, commissioner of the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, told Eyewitness News. "They need to know the truth, which is that these devices can be very dangerous." Levine said overpowered e-bikes and scooters, along with crude, cheaply made batteries, are creating serious risks for New Yorkers. "Nobody in New York should be purchasing unsafe devices. And certainly nobody in New York should be selling unsafe devices and batteries," he said. Since August, city inspectors have visited more than 200 e-bike dealers and issued 85 cease-and-desist orders. Officials also issued 41 summonses to online retailers, cited 46 violations involving uncertified e-bikes or batteries and documented 35 violations involving illegal e-bikes. Three businesses were shut down. Dozens of other dealers were cited for failing to display battery safety information. Levine pointed to photos of batteries seized during inspections as examples of the dangerous products still being sold. "What you're seeing here are some dangerous, uncertified batteries," Levine said. "These are extremely dangerous devices. These can cause explosions. These can cause fires, the likes of which we saw in Brooklyn, just a few days ago." Many New Yorkers support the city's enforcement effort but say officials still have a long way to go. "So many accidents. And the fires, they bring them in and there's no stability with them," one East Side resident said. "I feel they need to do more." ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New York City news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Download our connected TV app Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Woman says she was struck in face during heated road rage incident on Staten Island 4 minutes ago Suspect in jogger's murder terminated by NYC Department of Education 1 hour ago Massie introduces impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth 33 minutes ago Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved. Related Topics EAST SIDE LITHIUM ION BATTERY NYPD Watch Live ON NOW Staten Island road rage incident caught on video 4 minutes ago Suspect in jogger's murder terminated by Department of Education 1 hour ago Trump says he'd 'stand by' Hegseth even if he's impeached 33 minutes ago Racist letter targeting Somali family sparks outrage in Clark 1 hour ago Man charged after antisemitic threats target mother, child 8 minutes ago Man in custody after woman's death on MSC Seascape ship: officials 28 minutes ago Another crash rocks Stratford neighborhood 33 minutes ago AccuWeather: Breezy beauty and what to know about a late week storm 2 hours ago