Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Today's Headlines

Wednesday’s Headlines: Top of the Pops Edition

A new battery-swapping cabinet shows the way forward. Plus other news.

Photo: Sophia Lebowitz|

Sergio, a delivery worker, swaps the inaugural battery at the Hudson Square hub.

They're popping off!

PopWheels, a Brooklyn-based battery swap company hell bent on solving the city's lithium-ion battery fire crisis, unveiled the first of what it says will be a growing network of battery-swapping locations in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday.

The swap location differs from the city's battery-charging cabinets, like the ones in the DOT's pilot program. Now, for just $75 per month, workers can swap out empty batteries for safe full ones at charging cabinets within PopWheels's network – eliminating the need for them to own and transport their own batteries. Through Uber’s partnership, the first 50 delivery workers who trade in old batteries will be able to access six free months of PopWheels services. 

“Delivery workers are essential to our city, and we are committed to building public infrastructure to make their trips as safe as possible,” Baruch Herzfeld, co-founder of PopWheels, told our Sophia Lebowitz at the kickoff. “E-bikes are the future of urban mobility, and with our accessible, cheap network of certified batteries and public charging stations, delivery workers no longer have to keep batteries at home."

When the company builds out a network of such cabinets, it says it will serve an 3,000 workers by the end of the year (each cabinet can serve 35 to 40 workers.)

This swap station comes as structure fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in New York City have surged by 53 percent in the first three months of 2025 (but there have been zero deaths, down from one in the same period last year).

— with Sophia Lebowitz

In other news:

  • The big news? Mayor Adams will finally give the South Outer Roadway of the Queensboro Bridge to pedestrians, ending a needless delay for more "review" of the six-year-old project. (Gothamist after the amNY handout)
  • The Post completely ripped off followed our seminal coverage of a class-action suit to get the NYPD to follow the law allowing cyclists to pass though a red light on a "Walk" signal.
  • The Post also followed our seminal coverage of the Parks Department's failure to maintain a critical piece of the Hudson River Greenway, which is only the country's busiest bike path.
  • EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin continues his revenge tour against the first two words of his agency's name. (NY Post)
  • Awful carnage on Long Island. (NYDN)
  • The Times did a primer on the NJ Transit strike.
  • Speaking of which, first they came for Shakira and I said nothing. But now they're coming for Beyoncé. (Gothamist)
  • Like Streetsblog, amNY covered Attorney General Letitia James's suit against the Trump administration over its efforts to tie transportation funding to immigration compliance.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

DOT Stands By Astoria Safety Project Despite Foes’ Anti-Bike Lawsuit

Businesses are suing — and doubling down on anti-safety misinformation — about a simple and important traffic calming and protected bike lane project in Astoria.

August 8, 2025

Mamdani Promises New Path For Bus Projects As MTA Leader Finally Loses Patience With Mayor Adams

The Democratic nominee says he'll only ask one thing when determining which bus improvements will go forward: will it serve bus riders.

August 8, 2025

We Told You So! DOT’s Anti-Daylighting ‘Scare Tactic’ Now Fuels Pro-Car Pols

DOT is finding common ground with pro-car, street safety foes.

August 8, 2025

Friday Video: The Triumph — And Tragedy — of Summer Streets

Summer Streets is great — can we do this every weekend? Um, no.

August 8, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Fixing Canal Street Edition

DOT will lower the speed limit on the Manhattan Bridge lanes that feed onto Canal Street. Plus more news.

August 8, 2025
See all posts