Unfortunately, lithium-ion batteries pose a unique fire risk. It’s not just battery-electric sedans, SUVs, and trucks, either. The battery architecture aboard a small electric transportation solution like an e-bike can be prone to dangerous explosions and fires. As such, leaving one in your apartment (and overcharging it) could increase your chances of having a fire with limited means of escape. 

Storing and charging your e-bike or e-scooter in your apartment increases the chances of a potentially deadly fire

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) and electric scooters (e-scooters) have changed the way urban commuters get from point A to point B. However, like full-size, road-going EVs, they pose a fire risk due to their lithium-ion battery architecture. Moreover, the small size of the removable batteries and electric bicycles themselves prompts owners to take their rides inside with them for storage and charging.

Unfortunately, the New York Fire Department (FDNY) reports that e-bike fires have increased exponentially from pre-pandemic to post-pandemic levels. Specifically, the FDNY reported 13 electric bicycle and electric scooter fires in 2019. However, New Yorkers experienced over 250 between 2022 and 2023. Tragically, some of these battery fires have claimed lives. 

However, there are behaviors e-bike and e-scooter owners can use to stay as safe as possible, per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For starters, would-be electric bicycle owners should purchase models listed by reputable testing labs with appropriate safety labels. Furthermore, owners shouldn’t overcharge their batteries or use inadequate charging equipment. 

While it was an electric moped rather than a bicycle, a recent lithium-ion battery fire in NYC killed a man and injured two FDNY firefighters. But unlike electric bicycle fires on the street, the recent Brooklyn fire was a lithium-ion battery pack in an apartment. Despite the best efforts of the FDNY, the resident died at the hospital after the rescue.

We recommend monitoring your mobility device while charging. Furthermore, owners should use shrewd measures like timers to ensure they aren’t overcharging their lithium-ion batteries. Also, as a professional firefighter, I implored homeowners to keep a functioning smoke detector in every room and several charged fire extinguishers in accessible locations. Still, owners should avoid storing their electric bicycles and scooters near where they sleep whenever possible.