Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) officials concluded a September house fire in Potomac was likely caused by a malfunctioning e-bike charger, according to MoCo360. The 2 a.m. fire reportedly did $5,000 in damage to the house.

E-bikes and e-scooters have rapidly grown in popularity and availability. Bike shops in Bethesda — including Griffin Cycle, Pedego, and Terrapin Bicycles — sell electric bikes and can provide expert guidance on their charging, use, and care. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) in collaboration with the e-scooter companies often offers adult riding lessons for these devices. They even have a special event going on now to encourage bike and scooter use. See details in the image below this article.

MCFRS provides the following e-bike and e-scooter battery safety tips:

Nearly any type and size of battery can become a fire hazard in certain conditions. (Even some phone chargers can be a hazard.) That’s why Montgomery County warns against disposing of any batteries in regular trash or recycling. The County’s hazardous household waste drop-off area at its Shady Grove Processing Facility can accept most batteries

E-bikes are typically equipped with a rechargeable lithium ion battery. You can find local recycling locations for e-bike batteries via HungryForBatteries.org, or check with the shop where you purchased the bike.

The 2024 Walk & Ride Challenge was a huge success! Hearty applause to all the downtown Bethesda participants who enthusiastically counted their steps into and around Bethesda in October.

County-wide (all of the TMDs) we walked 46,447,960 steps during the three-week Challenge! In Bethesda, we walked 10,712,661 steps in three weeks!

Grand Prize Winners

The Challenge has three Grand Prize categories: first, second and third place. To determine the winning teams, we tally each team's total steps and divide by the number of members on the team to arrive at each team’s average number of steps.

This year, congrats go to:

First Place: Saulmates from BF Saul Company.
The members of Saulmates walked an average of 333,488 steps over the three-week period. Each team member will receive a prize package that includes a $50 Amazon e-gift card and a $50 Bethesda Bucks e-gift card.

Second Place: Heart and Saul from B.F. Saul.
The members of Heart and Saul walked an average of 247,547 steps over the three-week period. Each team member will receive a $35 Amazon e-gift card.

Third Place: Pedominators from ASHP.
The members of Pedominators walked an average of 189,275 steps over the three-week period. Each team member will receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card.

Weekly Prizes

In addition to the Grand Prize winners, each week we awarded a prize to people who walked more than 10,000 steps in a week. Those lucky winners were randomly selected, came from different teams, and each received an e-gift card. 

Thank you again to all of the Bethesda Walk & Ride participants, and kudos to the top teams!

Questions: Contact Kristen Blackmon at BTS (301-656-0868 x119 or KBlackmon@bethesda.org).

Our 2024 Cool Commute Contest starts December 2. It’s an annual opportunity to combine your pedaling or walking commute with your creative side — and make the most out of whatever winter scenes the season sends our way.

Here’s how it works:

1. Snap a picture of your winter biking or walking in downtown Bethesda to win prizes.

2. Send us your photo of your bicycle ride or walk in downtown Bethesda. Email pictures to Kristen Blackmon at KBlackmon@bethesda.org.

3. We’ll pick 5 winners in early March to each receive a $100 Bethesda Bucks e-gift card.

Need visual inspiration? Check out the cool photos from last year.