Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn announced on Apr. 17 the launch of a public portal to gather input from residents about where to place approximately 25 e-bike battery swapping cabinets across the city.
The initiative aims to provide safer charging options for electric micromobility users, especially delivery workers who often need reliable access to charged batteries during their shifts. Without such infrastructure, these workers typically carry multiple heavy batteries to last a full day.
“We’re building a city around the people who live and work here — their jobs, their dreams, their lives reflected in the infrastructure we invest in,” said Mayor Mamdani. “These e-bike battery swapping cabinets are about supporting workers, making our city safer and embracing the kinds of transportation New Yorkers are already turning to in growing numbers. I’m proud to help bring New Yorkers’ voices into this citywide rollout, and I’m eager to see how people shape it through the public portal.”
Commissioner Flynn said, “E-bikes are an efficient, sustainable way to get around the city — and thousands of delivery workers rely on them every day. These battery swapping cabinets will make charging safer and more accessible on the job. We’re also inviting New Yorkers to weigh in through a new portal to help us place them where they’ll work best and have the biggest impact.”
The planned cabinets will include batteries that meet fire safety standards set by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and feature theft-proofing as well as fire suppression systems. The FDNY is extending its filing deadline for outdoor installation applications under its Letters of No Objection program through September 2026.
FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said, “As part of this effort, the Department is extending the filing deadline for outdoor installation of grandfathered charging cabinets under the Letters of No Objection program through September 2026. From a fire prevention standpoint, this additional time is critical: it allows more Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories to come online for UL 1487 certification and will ensure these cabinets meet the highest safety standards.”
A six-month pilot conducted by NYC DOT in 2024 found that such cabinets were safe and convenient for delivery workers. The final list of locations will be refined based on public feedback before moving forward with design plans later this year.
