This Battery Swap Network Is Saving Lives—Powered by Jewish Values and a Love for Immigrants
New York City is full of e-bikes. You see them everywhere—especially with delivery workers racing from one drop-off to the next. But there’s a hidden danger behind this convenience: the batteries.
Too many riders are using cheap, uncertified lithium-ion batteries. These things overheat, catch fire, and sometimes even kill people. In fact, battery fires have become one of the top causes of deadly blazes in NYC.
That’s where PopWheels comes in.
A Safer Way to Ride
PopWheels is a new kind of battery swap service for e-bike riders. Instead of charging batteries at home (where many fires start), riders pay $75 a month and get access to charging stations. When their battery runs low, they head to a PopWheels cabinet, check which ones are full, and swap out their old one for a fresh charge.
It’s simple. It’s safe. And the city is starting to notice.
The idea came from Baruch Herzfeld, a Brooklyn dad, bike lover, and proud Talmud nerd. Along with his co-founder David Hammer, he launched PopWheels after seeing how dangerous things had become for riders—many of whom are immigrants using bikes to earn a living.
From Talmud to Tech
Baruch grew up in an Orthodox Jewish community. He studied Talmud as a kid but didn’t love it. Today, though, those ancient rabbinic debates are helping him deal with the city’s endless safety rules and red tape.
“There are all these tiny, confusing rules,” he says. “Like, you have to be ten feet away from flammable stuff. But what counts as flammable? Is a fence an obstruction? Who decides?”
To stay sharp, Baruch studies Talmud for 45 minutes every morning. “That’s how I get ready to deal with the FDNY,” he says.
Getting each PopWheels location approved is a long process. You need fire department sign-off. You need certified safety materials. You even need special fire-resistant tarps that come with a tiny tag—kind of like a kosher seal for batteries.
Real Impact, Right Now
Despite all the bureaucracy, PopWheels is already making a difference. During a year-long pilot program with the city’s Department of Transportation, delivery riders used PopWheels batteries over 14,500 times. Not a single fire was reported from those batteries or stations.
Even better: battery-related deaths dropped. In 2023, 18 people died in battery fires. In 2024, that number was 6. Officials say fewer indoor fires were a big reason why—and that’s where PopWheels helped.
Delivery riders love the system. It’s safer, faster, and way more convenient than charging at home. “They’ve voted with their feet,” said the city’s transportation commissioner.
Built on Values—and a Lot of Languages
Baruch isn’t just in it for the tech. He really cares about the people who use PopWheels—especially immigrants. He even ran a business before this one that helped immigrant taxi drivers tune into radio stations from their home countries.
He speaks Spanish, Hebrew, Yiddish, some Mandarin (thanks to his kids’ au pair), and even a bit of Arabic. He can say “hello,” “goodbye,” and “thank you” in over 40 languages. “I like immigrants,” he says. “I always talk to them in their language.”
His love for bikes goes way back, too. He once ran a secondhand bike shop for Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn called the Traif Bike Gesheft—“non-kosher bike business” in Yiddish.
What’s Next?
Right now, there’s only one PopWheels station open, down in Hudson Square. But Baruch wants to open at least eight more soon—in places like East Harlem, Williamsburg, and Flatbush.
There are already over 160 riders using PopWheels, and another 300 on the waiting list. Once more stations are open, that number is expected to grow fast.
In the end, Baruch says it all comes down to one thing: ethics. “We have a responsibility to take dangerous batteries out of people’s homes,” he says.
That’s the mission. That’s the goal. And if the Talmud can help him get there, so be it.
Ready to ride safer?
If you’re a delivery rider or e-bike commuter in NYC, sign up for PopWheels and ditch the fire risk.
? Visit PopWheels.com to join the waitlist and find a station near you.
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Kristina is not just an enthusiast but a true authority on electric bikes. Nestled in the coastal beauty of Virginia, Kristina has found the perfect backdrop for her passion for electric biking. As a dedicated wife and homeschooling mom, her life revolves around family, faith, and the thrill of adventure.
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Through her blog, Kristina shares her extensive knowledge of electric bikes, offering valuable insights, tips, and recommendations to fellow enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a newcomer to the electric bike scene, Kristina's blog is your go-to source for all things electric biking, fueled by her passion, expertise, and the scenic beauty of coastal Virginia.
