More than 65,000 food delivery workers in New York use e-bikes, and many of them operate with non-UL-certified batteries that are more likely to combust and cause dangerous fires. UL, formerly Underwriters Laboratories, is a private company that certifies everyday products for safety.
Why does Uber want to buy back delivery workers’ e-bikes?
Answer: To prevent battery fires.
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Following a rash of e-bike fires in New York City, Uber has reportedly decided to help its delivery workers who use the devices prevent it from happening to them. Among its efforts will be two buy-back or trade-in programs, in partnership with Zoomo, an e-bike company, and the Equitable Commute Project.
More than 65,000 food delivery workers in New York use e-bikes, and many of them operate with non-UL-certified batteries that are more likely to combust and cause dangerous fires. UL, formerly Underwriters Laboratories, is a private company that certifies everyday products for safety.
In the program with Zoomo, Uber delivery workers will be able to receive credit toward a UL-compliant e-bike by trading in their old one, and they will receive access to “rent-to-own pricing models and priority repairs and services.” The other program will see the Equitable Commute Project partner with local bike shops to pilot a trade-in effort, in which workers can receive a discounted UL-certified bike in exchange for their old one.
More than 65,000 food delivery workers in New York use e-bikes, and many of them operate with non-UL-certified batteries that are more likely to combust and cause dangerous fires. UL, formerly Underwriters Laboratories, is a private company that certifies everyday products for safety.
