I am deeply concerned about safety issues associated with electric bicycles, or e-bikes.  As the newest CPSC Commissioner – who also happens to bike to work – I have made a commitment to advocate for bike safety. E-bikes need more attention from the safety community, with CPSC taking the lead.

I applaud Consumer Reports for the investigation published yesterday by Stephanie Clifford. The rise in lithium-ion battery fires occurring in e-bikes and micromobility devices across New York City, and across the country, underscores the urgency we face. To date, our response, even after hearing from the New York City Fire Department, Mayor, and other elected officials, has not addressed what is clearly a crisis. Although the proliferation of e-bikes is a positive development for the new green economy, the innovations are outpacing safety regulations, and consumers are paying the price. CPSC should not wait for industry to pay attention. Our mission – to protect consumers from unreasonable risks of serious injury and death – means that we can and should be taking the lead.

In 2002, when e-bikes were first gaining a presence in the U.S. marketplace, Congress gave CPSC express authority to regulate e-bikes. Twenty years later, e-bikes are in the headlines, on our streets and on our biking trails. Meaningful action is overdue. This is why during the CPSC’s public briefing on the agency’s FY23 Operating Plan, I questioned whether CPSC’s bicycle regulations were adequate to address hazards unique to e-bikes, and I have requested additional studies that on the hazard patterns associated with e-bikes.

As we respond to this crisis, we must do so holistically. The safety issues go beyond the batteries. A CPSC report issued in September (Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns: 2017-2021) paints a picture of increasing e-bike injuries and fatalities attributed to collisions, braking, and user control issues. While traffic safety is a key part of the equation, the weight, speed, and acceleration of e-bikes undoubtedly play a role.

The job of CPSC to create and enforce clear safety standards that protect consumers is essential, and we must deliver for consumers.

CPSC Calls on Manufacturers to Comply with Safety Standards for Battery-Powered Products to Reduce the Risk of Injury and Death