Photo courtesy of John Waldman via social media
State Sen. Luis Sepulveda (S.D. 32) has introduced a bill to regulate the sale of e-bikes. The senator also joined forces with Greater New York Red Cross to install free smoke alarms in his district. In a recent press release, the senator said some of the tools that help him the most to legislate on behalf of his constituents are community meetings and police precinct meetings where he gets feedback from constituents on their priorities.
“In these meetings, I am able to listen and get a first-hand sense of the needs of our people,” Sepulveda said. “It has been in these meetings where I have repeatedly heard the challenge that the current situation with the so-called “scooters and e-bikes” represents for the authorities and for the communities.”
He continued, “While it is true that these are an important transportation resource, it is also true that the police are having great problems in preventing crimes that are committed using these vehicles as a means of escape. Precinct commanders and patrol officers have explained to me how criminals are taking advantage of the lack of regulation and the public danger posed by pursuing people who commit crimes with these vehicles.”
Norwood News reported on the seizure of hundreds of illegal e-bikes across The Bronx during a press conference held at the 52nd Precinct earlier this year as well as on what sales people told us about the sale of such bikes.
Image courtesy of the NYPD
The senator said listening to the concerns of the community, he submitted the bill S9614 that seeks to establish clear rules for the use of e-bikes. “The bill mandates a safe use manual, establishment of a license and insurance, and the obligation of in-person or online sellers to ensure that people comply with these requirements in order to sell one of these items,” Sepúlveda said.
Meanwhile, the FDNY confirmed that lithium ion batteries found in e-bikes have been found to have been the cause of a number of fires in New York City in recent years, as reported, including one major fire in Manhattan in recent weeks which involved a very spectacular rescue from a midtown, high-rise building. Sepúlveda also recently joined forces with Greater New York Red Cross to help end home fires by joining the Home Fire team installing smoke alarms in his district.
Flier courtesy of the FDNY
The FDNY has also shared the following fire safety tips if using any devices powered by lithium-ion batteries:
• Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.
• Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or a couch.
• Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device
• Keep batteries/devices at room temperature. Do not place in direct sunlight.
• Store batteries away from anything flammable.
• If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape/color, leaking, or odd noises from a device discontinue use immediately. If safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 9-1-1.
Photo by David Greene
According to the FDNY, these lithium ion batteries are commonly used in cell phones, laptops, tablets, electric cars, and scooters. Lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy and can pose a threat if not treated properly. “Like any product, a small number of these batteries are defective,” fire department officials said. “They can overheat, catch fire, or explode.”
Lithium Ion Battery Disposal:
• Putting lithium-ion batteries in the trash or recycling at home is illegal.
• Recycle batteries by taking them to a battery recycling location or visiting nyc.gov/batteries for disposal instructions is always the best option
• Individually bag batteries or tape ends before disposing. See more tips at fdnysmart.org.
@LuisSepulvedaNY joined our @redcrossny team installing smoke alarms in his district. Senator expertly did his part and we are deeply grateful for his voice in helping us amplify the message of fire safety and advance our life saving program. We can #endhomefire tragedies! pic.twitter.com/viQxWHW7Ji
— John Waldman (@JohnBWaldman) December 7, 2022
Meanwhile, Sepúlveda said the bill to regulate the sale and use of e-bikes aims to regulate and protect those who were referred to as legitimate users of e-bikes who take advantage of the benefits of this transport. “It will also help the police to identify and apprehend those who take advantage of the lack of regulations to commit crimes with impunity and steal our tranquility. I look forward to the beginning of the legislative session to discuss this project with all sectors and work together on practical solutions.”
To receive free fire detectors and even have them installed in your home, contact the Red Cross, by calling (877) 733 2767.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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