E-bike batteries have caused 200 fires in New York: ‘Everyone’s scared’

Delivery workers grapple with danger after dozens injured in blazes that can spread quickly and suddenly

New York City delivery workers have to deal with an array of threats: speeding cars, volatile weather, armed robbers and app algorithms that can deactivate" them if they don't rush to customers quickly enough. Lately, workers have added another to the list - their electric bikes bursting into flames.

The powerful lithium ion batteries used in small electric vehicles are responsible for a growing epidemic of fires. This year, there have been about 200 fires and six deaths, according to the New York City fire department. This month, an e-bike fire inside a Manhattan high-rise apartment became an inferno that injured nearly 40 people and forced firefighters to evacuate residents using ropes.