The last several years have seen a major uptick in the popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters across the country, including right here in Southern California. In 2022, around 1.1 million e-bikes were imported to the U.S., an increase from 880,000 in 2021 and 450,000 in 2020, according to the industry trade group LEVA (Light Electric Vehicle Association).

In rental property sphere, many environmentally conscious tenants and customers have embraced e-bikes and e-scooters for their transportation needs. By providing amenities that cater to these preferences, property owners can better attract and retain this clientele, effectively securing their loyalty over competitors. This approach isn’t just good for business practices — it also aligns with the sustainable ethos embraced by the modern renter.

But even as battery-powered vehicles continue to fill our streets and boardwalks, safety concerns over the lithium-ion batteries that power them have emerged. Over the past few years, fires caused by e-bike lithium-ion batteries have skyrocketed, resulting in deaths, injuries, and property destruction. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports of at least 208 micro-mobility fire or overheating incidents between January 2021 and November 2022 alone.

These fires often occur when e-bikes have been left charging overnight, leaving them overheated, defective, and damaged. Lithium-ion batteries contain a chemical solution that is both dense and extremely flammable. As a result, battery fires are fast-moving and spread rapidly, and it’s even possible for the chemicals to reignite even after the fire has been extinguished.

Industry groups such as the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), are advocating for more regulation around e-bikes and scooters. Omnia Pacific is committed to educating building owners and property managers about the potential dangers posed by e-bike batteries and how our Construction Pros can help prevent them.

Retrofitting your property

Fire safety begins with ensuring your building can prevent the spread of fire. Omnia Pacific does just that by:

• Encapsulating existing bike storage space with cinder block
• Install e-charging hook-ups for e-bikes and e-scooters
• Retrofitting all fire suppression systems to ensure the building is fully compliant with all fire safety codes and regulations.

Building a safe storage space

Omnia Pacific creates custom-built e-bike storage areas that prioritize safety and security by:

• Utilizing fire-resistant materials such as concrete, steel and brick to ensure your e-bike storage area is well-equipped to handle any potential fire outbreak.
• Installing top-of-the-line fire suppression systems, including fire sprinklers and smoke detectors, to provide an added layer of protection.
• Allowing for proper ventilation to prevent the accumulation of combustible materials that can contribute to the spread of fire.

Offering amenities tailored to environmentally aware tenants and customers enables property owners to enhance client retention and growth. With Omnia Pacific, you can trust that your e-bike storage area is not only a secure and convenient, but also safe to users and the community.