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Lyft re-introducing e-bikes to California after battery issues caused them to burst into flames


Lyft is bringing their e-bikes back to California streets after fixing battery issues that caused several to suddenly burst into flames

  • Lyft is taking another shot at e-bikes after first roll outs burst into flames
  • The company will introduce 4,000 bikes to San Francisco by December
  • More bikes will be introduced this month in San Jose and in April 
  • A previous roll out saw overzealous brakes result in injuries   

Ride-sharing giant Lyft will take another stab at introducing electric bicycles in San Francisco after a string of fires led to their swift removal.

According to The Verge, Lyft will deploy 4,000 of its e-bikes in San Francisco this December and plans to have an ever broader roll out in April.

It will also begin rolling out bikes in San Jose this month as a part of an ongoing agreement with the city.

To avoid the problems experienced in Lyft’s initial roll out – in which batteries spontaneously combusted, causing the bikes to burst into flames – the company says it has partnered with a different battery supplier.

Lyft's electric bicycles burst into flames after a battery issue experienced in their initial roll out earlier this year

Lyft’s electric bicycles burst into flames after a battery issue experienced in their initial roll out earlier this year

‘After identifying the root cause of the battery issues, we made the decision to work with a different battery supplier,’ said the company in a statement last week.

‘We’re now receiving new batteries, testing them and reassembling ebikes. Ebikes will return to the Bay Wheels system in the coming weeks and months.’ 

The problems with batteries marked the second failed attempt by the firm to roll out its line of e-bikes, dubbed Bay Wheels.

The first round in April was terminated after dozens of riders were injured by the bikes’ stronger-than-expected brakes.   

The debacles come after a legal tussle between Lyft, San Francisco, and Uber, in which Lyft fought for exclusive rights to man the city’s streets with bikes. 

A legal battle between Lyft and Uber, saw the company fight for exclusive rights to San Francis cos city's streets with bikes

A legal battle between Lyft and Uber, saw the company fight for exclusive rights to San Francisco’s streets

The company claimed it had a 10-year docking deal with San Francisco, that should prevent Uber’s Jump Bikes and other competitors from vying for road space. 

A ruling in July sided in favor with Lyft and Uber will continue to operate its bicycles until March 1st.

This is just one strand of Lyft’s $250 million nationwide e-bike project. 

The firm bought New York City-based bike operator Motivate last year, with plans to control the largest bike-share systems in North America.



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