Uber program in New York provides safer, more accessible e-bikes to food delivery people

NEW YORK – Uber announced its partnership with the electric bicycle company on Tuesday. Zoom there Jhe Equitable Commute project (ECP) to provide safer, lower-cost e-bike rental and purchase options to food delivery people in New York City.

This after the increase in fires caused by ion batteries. The most recent occurred on Monday, in which a boy and a young woman lost their lives in a raging fire at a residence in Astoria, Queens.

The lithium-ion batteries in some devices are known to cause fires and injuries. Associations will explore the best options to reduce financial barriers to accessing safe, certified e-bikes and necessary repairs, while preventing battery-related injuries.

“Delivery drivers shouldn’t have to choose between making a living and being safe. These innovative partnerships will help make e-bikes safer for drivers,” said Josh Gold, senior director of public policy at Uber. “By offering discounts and trade-in opportunities for new UL-certified e-bikes and certified lithium-ion batteries, the high price tag that too often acts as a barrier to safety should no longer be an issue.”

Through the pilot program with Zoomo, riders will be able to trade in older e-bikes for credit to invest in a new e-bike and access lease-to-own pricing models and priority repairs and services. ECP will pilot an exchange program that will offer a discounted UL-certified e-bike in exchange for a non-compliant device.

Drivers can access Zoomo’s services at their store at 252 W 38th St. New York, NY 10018.

“E-bikes have become an essential part of our transportation and employment ecosystem, but faulty and uncertified devices are making their way into homes and apartments, starting fires and putting lives at risk,” the CEO said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This program to increase access to safe, certified e-bikes and batteries for our riders is a welcome addition to our ‘Charge Safe, Ride Safe’ plan to protect New Yorkers from lithium-ion battery fires. , and we appreciate Uber’s move.”

With these partnerships, Uber aims to improve access to safer e-bikes, batteries and maintenance. Partnerships will focus on pathways to cyclist ownership, including a pioneering program Redeem and save in which delivery people can trade in old e-bikes for credit to invest in new Zoomo e-bikes. Additionally, Zoomo and Uber will partner to offer discounted pricing that lowers the barrier to entry for certified e-bikes and safety accessories.

The ECP will pilot a sharing program with local bike shops in New York. Drivers will be able to trade in non-compliant vehicles for UL-certified e-bikes at a discount. Through its innovative e-bike lending program, partner ECP Spring Bank, a B Corp. CDFI, will provide financing to those in need, regardless of their credit history. Non-compliant bikes and batteries will be safely recycled.

The associations come as new research from WXY Studio, commissioned by Uber, found that demand for e-bikes and other micromobility vehicles has increased since 2020. More than 65,000 of New York’s food delivery people depend on electric micromobility, but cheaper and not certified. .