NYC seeks public assistance in e-bike crackdown to prevent fires.

New York City officials are asking the public to help with a crackdown on e-bike shops that are improperly handling and storing lithium ion batteries, which have caused deadly fires in the city. Over 100 fires linked to e-bikes have occurred in New York City this year with 13 deaths reported, officials said. E-bikes are growing in popularity, particularly with delivery workers, but the lithium ion batteries that power them pose a significant fire hazard if they’re defective or improperly charged. The city is not trying to criminalize repair shops and intends to focus on those that aren’t taking proper precautions with the lithium batteries.