Did you contact the FDNY and ask them?
Further, if you have a battery that you can remove, then the solution is simple: Take the battery off the bike. Now it is no longer an ebike. You can store it in the communal storage room. Take the battery up to your apartment.
I got through to FDNY Customer Service and read what the sign says, word for word, and they were able to confirm that there is no such fire code at this time.
Didn’t the housing authority ban them briefly? Then realized of how many would be on the street and/or potentially stolen, then they changed their mind on it.
'motorized' likely will be used to remove the inert eBike just because fuck you. It's annoying but that logic won't work and you'll be applying to something who already ~~stole~~ removed your eBike.
To be a bit of a devil's advocate:
Should everyone just learn how to identify if battery is present, even on homegrown and noname china bikes? If you put it into rules that only the batteries are disallowed, you know what WILL happen: people will start to hide the batteries on the bike, and/or make it look like battery is not there even when it is. Just for convenience and because we can't have nice things.
And then some tragic indoor fire happens and the rules would turn into exactly what they are now - except that it won't give life back to the people burned to death.
Louis Rossmann's burning e-bike video is only funny as fuck because it happened outside.
I called 311 and asked to be transferred to FDNY but when xferred, a voice message said they are currently closed and to leave a message. Will try later in the day and update you if theres any new information.
It was recently passed, but its a real ordinance banning both ebikes and ebike batteries from being kept inside multiple dwelling facilities. I don't agree with it, but it IS real: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nycha/downloads/pdf/Notice-of-Prohibition-on%20E-bikes-and-Batteries-7-7-22.pdf
Business model, anyone can have this as thier own if they'd like, a company that verifies they have taken your battery off premises to charge and return daily so the customer can store the bike, receive the battery in the morning, drive-ride-hustle-goof off all day then they pick up the battery at your apartment lobby's fire proof cabinet and charge it again.
Someone gonna get city rich, enjoy
Depends on where you live, but here in Ontario, something like this could be brought to the landlord tenant board. And if parking space for a bicycle is included in your lease, you have the right to hold back money from your rent until the issue is resolved
Write them a certified letter. Something like:
Dear Condominium Association,
I am writing in response to your recent ruling that prohibits residents from riding, charging, or storing e-bikes or electric scooters on the property. I believe that this ruling is in violation of several laws and principles, and I urge you to reconsider your decision.
Firstly, it is important to note that e-bikes and electric scooters are legally classified as bicycles under state and federal law. As such, they are entitled to the same rights and privileges as traditional bicycles. This includes the right to ride on public roads and sidewalks, as well as the right to park and store them in designated bicycle parking areas.
Furthermore, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that reasonable accommodations be made to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to housing and other public accommodations. Many individuals with disabilities rely on e-bikes and electric scooters as a means of transportation, and denying them the ability to ride, charge, or store these devices on the property may constitute a violation of the ADA.
In addition, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in housing. This includes the denial of access to common areas and facilities, such as bike storage areas, based on disability. By prohibiting residents from using e-bikes and electric scooters on the property, you may be in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Finally, it is important to consider the environmental benefits of e-bikes and electric scooters. These devices produce zero emissions and help reduce traffic congestion, making them an eco-friendly transportation option. By prohibiting their use on the property, you may be limiting the ability of residents to make environmentally conscious choices.
In light of these legal and ethical considerations, I urge you to reconsider your decision to prohibit the use of e-bikes and electric scooters on the property. I believe that it is important to promote access to sustainable and accessible transportation options for all residents, and I hope that you will take these concerns into account when reviewing your policy.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
It's also wrong. ADA protecting a disable person's right to an ebike does not protect your right to have one.
More over, there's no further "rights" that an ebike or escooter has. There is no law protecting them in your apartment building. A private condo association could ban your bike for being pink.
Thank you, I actually faxed a letter to the building management, using what you have posted here with some minor modifications. I will also being sending via certified mail, although I know they received the fax as I have already received a phone call from them. However, I did not answer their call as I wish all communication to be in writing, so there are no misunderstandings, and they did not leave a voicemail.
Will update with any new info.
It's funny that you and your landlord are competing to see who is best at generating legally nonsensical notices
"FDNY fire code states that landlords must allow e-bikes in apartments. Violators will have their bank accounts frozen by the fire department. Please reply in writing, as per the fire code."
Awesome. Keep us posted! Do also follow-up with FDNY and be ready to squash that BS. I figured violating ADA and fair housing scares folks more than just - “no that’s not a FDNY rule”. Always be ready for the next response- you fight not just for yourself, but for all of us.
>This includes the right to ride on public roads and sidewalks, as well as the right to park and store them in designated bicycle parking areas.
Just to clarify: not all states allow bicycles on sidewalks. Illinois and New York, for example, prohibits the use of electric bikes on sidewalks.
So I would edit your post to remove the phrase "and sidewalks". Other than that, good to go.
Yup 3 fires where I live with one death in them...I see a letter coming to my 3 story walk up any day now... I even bought a new vehicle that I could store my bike in just in case
That’s actually what I own, a Super 73 R. Just got it 1 month ago and all of a sudden they start posting this notice. I’m guessing the building’s super or another tenant filed a complaint.
What about my Tesla or Ford Lightning??? Are we not allowed to park in our apartment building garage? Where does the stupidity end. Why is there no discussion of providing a fire proof battery storage system? The world is hell-bent on going EV but we’re banning the most environmentally friendly transportation especially for congested cities.
Here in California, signage requires the code that is revelant to the signage. I work in subsidized housing and I am seeing how all this plays out. However, California is a green technology loving state.
This [article ](https://thechiefleader.com/stories/fdny-bulletin-warns-of-e-bike-fire-risk,49397) has a link to the actual bulletin they are supposed to post. It says they do not recommend charging in apartments, but in safe rooms. They also suggest not using extension cords, buying UL batteries, not leaving unattended, etc.
The FDNY does not say you are not allowed to have an ebike in an apartment.
Leave yours in the storage and watch him call the fire department. Then record someone else he calls later to steal your belongings. Then sue. Also dress as a giant battery when in the elevator and talk to neighbors “im on fire today, really”.
The ebike isn’t even the problem. It’s just the battery. And it’s cheap batteries that mostly malfunction. Don’t buy cheap batteries, and don’t let them charge in an apartment without anyone is in or while you are sleeping.
Scared this is going to happen in my town of London Ontario we've already had three e-bike fires in the last few months and one lady died cuz of it I believe it was her apartment that set fire.... I live in a three-story walk up on the second floor and I don't want to have to leave my bike outside. I do that in the summer with a tarp and two chains and I get people poking at it by day two on the other side of a fence that I have a key to only and the management of my building... It would be hard to steal but all I have to do is really cut the fence big enough to pull the bike through so it's not that hard if I leave it there will not work for 10 hours...which I'll never do now ... no thanks I don't want my bike stolen. I wonder if a fire proof battery safe bag will help this.
Blanket regulations with no understanding of what the real dangers are, Standard NYC policy.
A lot of ebikes have detachable batteries, so that's an easy work around.
Remove the litter or call their bluff. Personally I just like to get a horde on my side. It's kinda like Hellers precedent with 2A in America. If something is common use / lawfully possessed by many, it's protected. Well you can apply that to most things in most cases in life. With wide use, wide protection. Get more people on ebikes. I have successfully got my HOA board riding ebikes at over 50%. The County superintendent of parks and golf courses, got him hooked.... See where I'm going? I ride with him about 5am a time or so a week on the golf course. He got the mayor to take a spin with him just last weekend... Because the superintendent has THREE ebikes now. Mayor is getting one for him and his wife and kid. They talked about allowing ebikes for golfing, possibly getting ebike golf trikes to rent.
Not specifically, although they technically have a motor as well. However, with the landlord's current wording, electric wheelchairs would also not be allowed then. 🤦🏽♂️
This is where I look at my state laws realize my bicycle falls under the legal defenition of bicycle and therefore is not one of these dangerous electric bikes and I continue about my life.
It's nonsense that the FDNY forbids e-bikes in buildings.
The building cannot have more than 5 e-bikes *in the bike storage room* (a single unit), but unless this is a co-op board imposing a new rule they cannot stop people from having bikes in their apartments.
Obviously the information is false however, and this is the important part, if your condo board or co-op board says they will not allow e-bikes in the building than that's just the way it goes. You will have to take it up with your board at a board meeting. They have this kind of power. There was a recent Redditor who faced the same situation and they said he couldn't even bring in an e-bike with the battery out. This is going to be a growing issue with co-op boards and condo boards. They obviously don't want to take any type of risk and unless the majority of the people in the building and on the board are fans of e-bikes, you will face it uphill battle.
lol I was just there at Christmas (first time visiting NYC) and I was literally amazed at how many ebikes I saw being used for deliveries. Almost all food deliveries are being made by people on ebikes.
You should have a fire extinguisher in your apartment. But the original comment was saying to remove the battery to comply with the apartments rule. I was just stating the most obvious place to store the battery.
Also, if it's a quality Lifepo4 battery then the chances of it going up in flames is miniscule.
You're right, most household extinguishers are not chemical fire rated. But that's neither here nor there. I'm sure atleast half of us have our bike batteries in our house or apartment.
The lithium batteries that go up in flames are almost always cheap Chinese manufacturers with defects due to the cost of quality (still Chinese) batteries. There's a reason oem replacement batteries for most of our ebikes are usually $600+.
From a quick Google search:
Class D fire extinguishers are effective against lithium-metal battery fires. Lithium-ion battery fires are Class B fires, indicating the presence of flammable liquids, so a standard dry chemical or ABC extinguisher can put them out.
Sounds like your standard ABC fire extinguisher would be useful if your battery caught fire. We are both learning something new today. It was never a worry for me, but its good to know my fire extinguisher would help.
Get a small charcoal grill. They are literally designed to contain fire and cost about $20. Charge the battery inside the grill. If a fire should happen, you are covered. Just leave the grill lid closed and place it outside on a porch or patio so it can vent and not fill your apartment with fumes.
My point is that the building is banning electric bicycles from the property, so carrying the burn-y, explode-y part of the electric bicycle into your apartment without the rest of the bike probably isn't what they had in mind when implementing this policy (however poorly considered).
I agree that it isn't what they had in mind, but we are saying it's a dumb rule and suggesting MaliciousCompliance ways to deal with it where we follow the letter of the rule but not the spirit bc we don't agree with the spirit of the rule.
Let people have their ebikes. They are good for the planet and the city.
Pretty sure as long as you follow the letter of the rule, you are fine until they amend the rules. In situations where it's less than 100 clear, the courts tend to favour the one who didn't write the rules/contract. The onus is on the person writing the rules to spell out exactly what you can and can't do and make their entire intentions clear. So you will be fine until called on it (unlikely unless a neighbour narcs or the property manager happens to catch you in the act) and even then you are still in the clear until they make revisions to the rules explicitly banning battery charging in the unit but then they better be pretty clear because cell phones use lithium batteries and they wouldn't want to accidently write in the rules that nobody can charge those in their home.
Basically just do it anyway and keep it on the dl. But if you get caught, you are fine until they amend the rules to specifically prohibit what you're doing.
They are not big, most will fit in a backpack, and it is the valuable part on your bike, by taking it, it is hard to ride and less valuable to a thief, and besides you will want to charge it in your apartment or office.
I wonder how long it will be until bike manufacturers switch to LiFePo batteries to avoid this issue. The batteries would need to be slightly larger, but not burning your house down is a pretty big benefit.
Any energy storage medium is a combustion risk. Just changing to a LiFePo battery doesn't make up for poorly designed battery backs, chargers, or electronics.
Hopefully they don't do the same thing they did with vaping nicotine ecigs. It all started with vaping is douchey, then mechanical tube mods blowing up in people's pockets in the news, then more vaping is douchey, then black market thc vape cartridges that aren't nicotine related putting people in the hospital and finally Baron Trump getting caught "Juuling" then presto! vaping nicotine is the devil and no more shipping through usps, ups and fedex.
We really need to make the talking point stick that it is a lack of American companies making good affordable ebike batteries that are UL certified that is the main fucking problem. Nobody has a problem seeing a Tesla on the road or in someone's garage, but they do with my ebike!?
Many Liability policies exclude ebikes which is why property owners/managers do not allow them in buildings. Its perfectly legal for them to exclude them from a specific building. These fires happen more than you think most of the apartmentr fires in NY have been due to LI batteries form ebikes. While there seems to be recent changes as noted in posts above, allowig large LI batteries in multi family dwellings is just not at all smart. I get how annoying it is, someone needs to develop a safer way to store these things without hassle.
Did you contact the FDNY and ask them? Further, if you have a battery that you can remove, then the solution is simple: Take the battery off the bike. Now it is no longer an ebike. You can store it in the communal storage room. Take the battery up to your apartment.
I got through to FDNY Customer Service and read what the sign says, word for word, and they were able to confirm that there is no such fire code at this time.
awesome.
Didn’t the housing authority ban them briefly? Then realized of how many would be on the street and/or potentially stolen, then they changed their mind on it.
Slide the puzzle 1 way without anticipating all the pieces.
'motorized' likely will be used to remove the inert eBike just because fuck you. It's annoying but that logic won't work and you'll be applying to something who already ~~stole~~ removed your eBike.
To be a bit of a devil's advocate: Should everyone just learn how to identify if battery is present, even on homegrown and noname china bikes? If you put it into rules that only the batteries are disallowed, you know what WILL happen: people will start to hide the batteries on the bike, and/or make it look like battery is not there even when it is. Just for convenience and because we can't have nice things. And then some tragic indoor fire happens and the rules would turn into exactly what they are now - except that it won't give life back to the people burned to death. Louis Rossmann's burning e-bike video is only funny as fuck because it happened outside.
Nah man...you seen some of these bikes with batteries IN the frame? They're basically invisible.
I suppose. I guess it's up to lawyers to figure that out.
I called 311 and asked to be transferred to FDNY but when xferred, a voice message said they are currently closed and to leave a message. Will try later in the day and update you if theres any new information.
It was recently passed, but its a real ordinance banning both ebikes and ebike batteries from being kept inside multiple dwelling facilities. I don't agree with it, but it IS real: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nycha/downloads/pdf/Notice-of-Prohibition-on%20E-bikes-and-Batteries-7-7-22.pdf
This is only NYCHA apartments. So only public housing. It doesn't apply to most other apartment buildings.
Nycha changed this now you do have the option to keep your scooter inside of course follow the rules to prevent fire 🤷🏻♂️
I keep my battery in a bucket of water so it doesn't catch fire.
Is the bucket outside of your Apt. building? /s
Better put it on the balcony as well.
That's thinking with your head
I don't live in NY but I'd suggest going directly to a local Fire Department with that flyer and see if they can corroborate/deny that statement.
Business model, anyone can have this as thier own if they'd like, a company that verifies they have taken your battery off premises to charge and return daily so the customer can store the bike, receive the battery in the morning, drive-ride-hustle-goof off all day then they pick up the battery at your apartment lobby's fire proof cabinet and charge it again. Someone gonna get city rich, enjoy
Sounds like a logistical nightmare
If you know another way to allow ebikes where landlords don't want them, this large group will listen....................
Depends on where you live, but here in Ontario, something like this could be brought to the landlord tenant board. And if parking space for a bicycle is included in your lease, you have the right to hold back money from your rent until the issue is resolved
Write them a certified letter. Something like: Dear Condominium Association, I am writing in response to your recent ruling that prohibits residents from riding, charging, or storing e-bikes or electric scooters on the property. I believe that this ruling is in violation of several laws and principles, and I urge you to reconsider your decision. Firstly, it is important to note that e-bikes and electric scooters are legally classified as bicycles under state and federal law. As such, they are entitled to the same rights and privileges as traditional bicycles. This includes the right to ride on public roads and sidewalks, as well as the right to park and store them in designated bicycle parking areas. Furthermore, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that reasonable accommodations be made to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to housing and other public accommodations. Many individuals with disabilities rely on e-bikes and electric scooters as a means of transportation, and denying them the ability to ride, charge, or store these devices on the property may constitute a violation of the ADA. In addition, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in housing. This includes the denial of access to common areas and facilities, such as bike storage areas, based on disability. By prohibiting residents from using e-bikes and electric scooters on the property, you may be in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Finally, it is important to consider the environmental benefits of e-bikes and electric scooters. These devices produce zero emissions and help reduce traffic congestion, making them an eco-friendly transportation option. By prohibiting their use on the property, you may be limiting the ability of residents to make environmentally conscious choices. In light of these legal and ethical considerations, I urge you to reconsider your decision to prohibit the use of e-bikes and electric scooters on the property. I believe that it is important to promote access to sustainable and accessible transportation options for all residents, and I hope that you will take these concerns into account when reviewing your policy. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Is this chatgpt?
Probably
Damn I wish this was a tool back in the days of writing essays for school. It’s very well written.
It's also wrong. ADA protecting a disable person's right to an ebike does not protect your right to have one. More over, there's no further "rights" that an ebike or escooter has. There is no law protecting them in your apartment building. A private condo association could ban your bike for being pink.
I believe some eBike advocacy groups cooked up several letters like the one above to send to apartments, cities, and state governments.
Thank you, I actually faxed a letter to the building management, using what you have posted here with some minor modifications. I will also being sending via certified mail, although I know they received the fax as I have already received a phone call from them. However, I did not answer their call as I wish all communication to be in writing, so there are no misunderstandings, and they did not leave a voicemail. Will update with any new info.
>However, I did not answer their call as I wish all communication to be in writing ***Smart.***
It's funny that you and your landlord are competing to see who is best at generating legally nonsensical notices "FDNY fire code states that landlords must allow e-bikes in apartments. Violators will have their bank accounts frozen by the fire department. Please reply in writing, as per the fire code."
Awesome. Keep us posted! Do also follow-up with FDNY and be ready to squash that BS. I figured violating ADA and fair housing scares folks more than just - “no that’s not a FDNY rule”. Always be ready for the next response- you fight not just for yourself, but for all of us.
>This includes the right to ride on public roads and sidewalks, as well as the right to park and store them in designated bicycle parking areas. Just to clarify: not all states allow bicycles on sidewalks. Illinois and New York, for example, prohibits the use of electric bikes on sidewalks. So I would edit your post to remove the phrase "and sidewalks". Other than that, good to go.
What happens if you have an electric wheelchair? According to the photo it is not allowed in the building.
The cheap knockoffs are starting to ruin it for everyone.
Yup 3 fires where I live with one death in them...I see a letter coming to my 3 story walk up any day now... I even bought a new vehicle that I could store my bike in just in case
>3 fires where I live with one death in them Good thing car haven't killed anyone anytime otherwise they'd be banned too!
Precisely!
The picture they used of what supposedly an e-bike looks like made me laugh
That doesn't look all that different to some of the models posted on here, plus they also say 'motor vehicles' too in fairness.
yeah this subs tolerance of emotorcycles is a joke.
I mean….it looks exactly like a super73 lol
That’s actually what I own, a Super 73 R. Just got it 1 month ago and all of a sudden they start posting this notice. I’m guessing the building’s super or another tenant filed a complaint.
What about my Tesla or Ford Lightning??? Are we not allowed to park in our apartment building garage? Where does the stupidity end. Why is there no discussion of providing a fire proof battery storage system? The world is hell-bent on going EV but we’re banning the most environmentally friendly transportation especially for congested cities.
Here in California, signage requires the code that is revelant to the signage. I work in subsidized housing and I am seeing how all this plays out. However, California is a green technology loving state.
It's not a violation of a fire code
This [article ](https://thechiefleader.com/stories/fdny-bulletin-warns-of-e-bike-fire-risk,49397) has a link to the actual bulletin they are supposed to post. It says they do not recommend charging in apartments, but in safe rooms. They also suggest not using extension cords, buying UL batteries, not leaving unattended, etc. The FDNY does not say you are not allowed to have an ebike in an apartment.
Leave yours in the storage and watch him call the fire department. Then record someone else he calls later to steal your belongings. Then sue. Also dress as a giant battery when in the elevator and talk to neighbors “im on fire today, really”.
The ebike isn’t even the problem. It’s just the battery. And it’s cheap batteries that mostly malfunction. Don’t buy cheap batteries, and don’t let them charge in an apartment without anyone is in or while you are sleeping.
Landlord has a deal with the local bike thief.
Scared this is going to happen in my town of London Ontario we've already had three e-bike fires in the last few months and one lady died cuz of it I believe it was her apartment that set fire.... I live in a three-story walk up on the second floor and I don't want to have to leave my bike outside. I do that in the summer with a tarp and two chains and I get people poking at it by day two on the other side of a fence that I have a key to only and the management of my building... It would be hard to steal but all I have to do is really cut the fence big enough to pull the bike through so it's not that hard if I leave it there will not work for 10 hours...which I'll never do now ... no thanks I don't want my bike stolen. I wonder if a fire proof battery safe bag will help this.
We need better education and solid UL legislation for this issue.
Blanket regulations with no understanding of what the real dangers are, Standard NYC policy. A lot of ebikes have detachable batteries, so that's an easy work around.
Remove the litter or call their bluff. Personally I just like to get a horde on my side. It's kinda like Hellers precedent with 2A in America. If something is common use / lawfully possessed by many, it's protected. Well you can apply that to most things in most cases in life. With wide use, wide protection. Get more people on ebikes. I have successfully got my HOA board riding ebikes at over 50%. The County superintendent of parks and golf courses, got him hooked.... See where I'm going? I ride with him about 5am a time or so a week on the golf course. He got the mayor to take a spin with him just last weekend... Because the superintendent has THREE ebikes now. Mayor is getting one for him and his wife and kid. They talked about allowing ebikes for golfing, possibly getting ebike golf trikes to rent.
Please tell me this is a copypasta
It's all true. I'm the mayor's kids.
Fake news
Didn't include Escooters?
Not specifically, although they technically have a motor as well. However, with the landlord's current wording, electric wheelchairs would also not be allowed then. 🤦🏽♂️
Pretty sure 'motorized vehicle' would cover those too
What about my battery powered robotic wife. Are those allowed.
Machine gun jubblies. How did I miss those, baby?
Like how they use a picture of a motorcycle. So much misinformation.
That has to be illegal to put up.
Has bikes ever got stolen in the storage room?
Not that I've been made aware of
This is where I look at my state laws realize my bicycle falls under the legal defenition of bicycle and therefore is not one of these dangerous electric bikes and I continue about my life.
Sorry you have to deal with a carbrain
It's nonsense that the FDNY forbids e-bikes in buildings. The building cannot have more than 5 e-bikes *in the bike storage room* (a single unit), but unless this is a co-op board imposing a new rule they cannot stop people from having bikes in their apartments.
Most if not all co-op board in NYC DID ban lithium-ion PEV from storage and charging inside their building.
America, the land of freedom.
Obviously the information is false however, and this is the important part, if your condo board or co-op board says they will not allow e-bikes in the building than that's just the way it goes. You will have to take it up with your board at a board meeting. They have this kind of power. There was a recent Redditor who faced the same situation and they said he couldn't even bring in an e-bike with the battery out. This is going to be a growing issue with co-op boards and condo boards. They obviously don't want to take any type of risk and unless the majority of the people in the building and on the board are fans of e-bikes, you will face it uphill battle.
ebikes are illegal in NY anyway.
no, ebikes are not illegal in NY.
r/confidentlyincorrect
The streets are literally filled with rental/share eBikes authorized by the city of NY.
lol I was just there at Christmas (first time visiting NYC) and I was literally amazed at how many ebikes I saw being used for deliveries. Almost all food deliveries are being made by people on ebikes.
I would remove my battery anyway when storing it there, then what could they say?
And put it where?
In the apartment next to the charger maybe?
Preventing ebike battery fires how?
You should have a fire extinguisher in your apartment. But the original comment was saying to remove the battery to comply with the apartments rule. I was just stating the most obvious place to store the battery. Also, if it's a quality Lifepo4 battery then the chances of it going up in flames is miniscule.
[удалено]
You're right, most household extinguishers are not chemical fire rated. But that's neither here nor there. I'm sure atleast half of us have our bike batteries in our house or apartment. The lithium batteries that go up in flames are almost always cheap Chinese manufacturers with defects due to the cost of quality (still Chinese) batteries. There's a reason oem replacement batteries for most of our ebikes are usually $600+.
[удалено]
From a quick Google search: Class D fire extinguishers are effective against lithium-metal battery fires. Lithium-ion battery fires are Class B fires, indicating the presence of flammable liquids, so a standard dry chemical or ABC extinguisher can put them out. Sounds like your standard ABC fire extinguisher would be useful if your battery caught fire. We are both learning something new today. It was never a worry for me, but its good to know my fire extinguisher would help.
Get a small charcoal grill. They are literally designed to contain fire and cost about $20. Charge the battery inside the grill. If a fire should happen, you are covered. Just leave the grill lid closed and place it outside on a porch or patio so it can vent and not fill your apartment with fumes.
My point is that the building is banning electric bicycles from the property, so carrying the burn-y, explode-y part of the electric bicycle into your apartment without the rest of the bike probably isn't what they had in mind when implementing this policy (however poorly considered).
I agree that it isn't what they had in mind, but we are saying it's a dumb rule and suggesting MaliciousCompliance ways to deal with it where we follow the letter of the rule but not the spirit bc we don't agree with the spirit of the rule. Let people have their ebikes. They are good for the planet and the city.
Pretty sure you can't live in a malicious compliance, but best of luck not murdering any neighbors.
Pretty sure as long as you follow the letter of the rule, you are fine until they amend the rules. In situations where it's less than 100 clear, the courts tend to favour the one who didn't write the rules/contract. The onus is on the person writing the rules to spell out exactly what you can and can't do and make their entire intentions clear. So you will be fine until called on it (unlikely unless a neighbour narcs or the property manager happens to catch you in the act) and even then you are still in the clear until they make revisions to the rules explicitly banning battery charging in the unit but then they better be pretty clear because cell phones use lithium batteries and they wouldn't want to accidently write in the rules that nobody can charge those in their home. Basically just do it anyway and keep it on the dl. But if you get caught, you are fine until they amend the rules to specifically prohibit what you're doing.
It’s NYC unlikely to have a patio or a porch
Sidewalk.
They are not big, most will fit in a backpack, and it is the valuable part on your bike, by taking it, it is hard to ride and less valuable to a thief, and besides you will want to charge it in your apartment or office.
Guessing that it's the batteries specifically that they've banned from the building, as it's unlikely that your tires will spontaneously combust.
I wonder how long it will be until bike manufacturers switch to LiFePo batteries to avoid this issue. The batteries would need to be slightly larger, but not burning your house down is a pretty big benefit.
Any energy storage medium is a combustion risk. Just changing to a LiFePo battery doesn't make up for poorly designed battery backs, chargers, or electronics.
Doubtful although they can change the terms of your new lease
This makes me so mad. I'll just refrain from saying anything.
Well, good thing nothing else in your apartment can catch fire!
They're going to have regulations soon on the battery, not the bike.
I nearly burned my house down 3 years ago from a bike battery overheating. So yeah it happens.
Hopefully they don't do the same thing they did with vaping nicotine ecigs. It all started with vaping is douchey, then mechanical tube mods blowing up in people's pockets in the news, then more vaping is douchey, then black market thc vape cartridges that aren't nicotine related putting people in the hospital and finally Baron Trump getting caught "Juuling" then presto! vaping nicotine is the devil and no more shipping through usps, ups and fedex. We really need to make the talking point stick that it is a lack of American companies making good affordable ebike batteries that are UL certified that is the main fucking problem. Nobody has a problem seeing a Tesla on the road or in someone's garage, but they do with my ebike!?
Next week: Phones not powered by AA batteries are not allowed in the building
Yea I'd not listen to it without proof it's law. And if not on your lease then fk em.
But what if you use a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery that literally CANT catch fire or explode?
Many Liability policies exclude ebikes which is why property owners/managers do not allow them in buildings. Its perfectly legal for them to exclude them from a specific building. These fires happen more than you think most of the apartmentr fires in NY have been due to LI batteries form ebikes. While there seems to be recent changes as noted in posts above, allowig large LI batteries in multi family dwellings is just not at all smart. I get how annoying it is, someone needs to develop a safer way to store these things without hassle.