Police Warn About Use of Illegal E-Bikes as Crackdown Continues

Quincy Jon, Tech Times 07 July 2023, 11:07 am

The Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD) has warned against driving non-street-legal e-bikes on public roadways. The warning was issued when a 13-year-old rider's Sur Ron electric motorcycle, mainly intended for off-road usage, was seized.

The Sur Ron bike does not comply with any of the Californian electric bike classifications, according to MBPD Sergeant Andy Abreu. Its power ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 watts, much exceeding the 750W motor requirement for e-bikes, which is the legal maximum, per an Elektrek report.

MBPD said the Sur Ron bike also lacks necessary safety gear, like side view mirrors required for motorcyclists, per MB News. Thus, the confiscated motorbike is unsuitable for road use.

E-motorcycles without headlights, taillights, mirrors, or turn signals are not street-legal. These vehicles are often utilized off-road. Even though they may be modified to make them roadworthy, registration and the proper licenses are required.

Although several street-legal electric bikes in the United States follow regulations, non-street-legal e-bikes like the Sur Ron motorcycle are not approved for use on public roads, even if they are not necessarily unlawful.

E-Bike Shop Closed Down

In separate news, lithium-ion batteries have been a significant source of catastrophic fires in New York City during the last three years, coinciding with the increase of electric car gadgets fueled by these very flammable batteries. The situation prompted city authorities to crack down on such products.

An e-bike business in Manhattan was shut down after the Fire Department and building inspectors found over 100 lithium-ion batteries. Following a catastrophic fire at another e-bike business that killed four people, the action was part of a larger crackdown on dangerous battery conditions, according to The New York Times.

Numerous safety and construction issues, including broken batteries and overloaded power strips, were discovered while examining the property at 91 Canal Street. Several lithium-ion batteries caught fire while being removed, illustrating their flammability. The building's impending danger was underlined during the following news conference because of these dangerous circumstances.

Over 100 Fatal Fires Due to Lithium Battery Reported This Year

There have been a startling 113 lithium battery fires in New York City this year, causing 13 deaths and 71 injuries. Twenty-three individuals have perished in city-related lithium battery fires since 2021.

Due to space constraints and the congested urban environment, many e-bike riders are forced to keep and charge their batteries inside their homes, which raises the danger. Lithium battery fires have been especially prevalent in residential structures.

Given the severity of the issue, beginning in September, New York City will impose a ban on selling e-bikes and lithium batteries that have not been certified as safe. Fire Department Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has pledged to continue cracking down on dangerous battery conditions at e-bike stores and other establishments to protect public safety.