New York City has finalized rules aiming to reduce lithium-ion battery fires by expanding access to safer e-bike charging stations.

Starting Feb. 1, property owners and tenants can apply to install battery swapping and charging cabinets on sidewalks in front of their properties, the city’s Department of Transportation announced Thursday. The cabinets are part of the Adams administration’s “Charge Safe, Ride Safe” plan to combat lithium-ion battery fires.

“Safer charging practices are integral to a cleaner and more sustainable future and installing charging infrastructure throughout the five boroughs will support the growth in e-bikes while also protecting all New Yorkers from deadly fires,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

Under the new rules, battery cabinets can be installed adjacent to buildings with ground-floor commercial spaces or residential properties with five or more units. The cabinets must also adhere to size and installation requirements.

Each station must comply with safety and accessibility standards, including fire suppression systems, clear pedestrian pathways and automatic shutoff features to prevent overheating. The FDNY will review and approve each of these stations as part of that process.

“These new rules will expand access to safe e-bike charging options and are informed by our public pilot, which increased the use of safer certified e-bike batteries, reduced in-home charging, and gave delivery workers greater peace of mind,” Rodriguez said.

In a press release, the DOT noted that as e-bike use has surged in recent years, uncertified batteries and unsafe charging practices have driven an increase in fires.

While the new rules aim to expand access citywide, charging cabinets are already available at three Manhattan locations—Cooper Square, Essex Market and Plaza de las Americas—where pre-registered test users can continue to receive free battery-swapping services.