Explosions of electric bikes and scooters in the US are raising alarms among users and authorities
With the very intense heat that has gripped virtually all regions of the United States this year, electric bikes and scooters are becoming an alternative for those who want to avoid walking. But the boom in vehicle use that predated the pandemic has led to serious accidents such as explosions and fires.
It is not new that the figures related to the use of electric bicycles and electric scooters are high: in 2019 the number of sales of the two vehicles was already 290,000; Three years later, the number has more than tripled: over 1 million units have been sold.
And if the number of twowheelers on the roads has increased, accidents have also increased. Between 2021 and 2023, New York recorded 23 deaths from twowheeler battery explosions. In 2022, there were 98 fires caused by the blasts. This year the number made a big leap: in the first half of the year alone there were 108 fires.
1 in 1 Electric bikes and scooters have already caused 23 deaths since 2019 Photo: Reproduction/TV Globo Electric bikes and scooters have already caused 23 deaths since 2019 Photo: Reproduction/TV Globo
The lithium battery in vehicles is the same as in mobile phones. The regulations for the traffic and sale of bicycles and scooters were only tightened in the first half of 2023. Since 2020, people are allowed to ride on bike paths, parks and streets with a speed limit of up to 50 km/h. However, safety certificates are now required for the sale of electric bicycles and scooters. The reason is to prevent accidents such as a fire at an electric bicycle repair shop.
New York Mayor Eric Adams announced a $25 million investment to build battery charging stations on city streets. The aim is to prevent people from charging in their homes, especially at night to avoid fires.
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