Amazon halts sales of illegal high-speed ebikes in California after fatal accidents
TL;DR
Amazon will stop selling certain high-speed electric bicycles in California following fatal accidents and a consumer alert from the state attorney general. The alert highlighted that some vehicles marketed as ebikes do not meet legal definitions and pose safety risks.
Key points
- Amazon halts sales of high-speed ebikes in California
- Decision follows fatal accidents and a consumer alert
- California defines legal ebikes with specific speed limits
- Vehicles exceeding limits are classified as mopeds or motorcycles
- Surge in safety incidents on sidewalks and streets
Mentioned in this story
Amazon said it plans to stop selling certain high-speed electric bicycles in California after a string of high-profile incidents and a consumer alert that the state attorney general issued last month.
In April an 81-year-old man in Orange county died after a teenager illegally riding an e-motorcycle struck him. The teen’s mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, has since been charged with involuntary manslaughter in Ed Ashman’s death as officials say she was warned it was illegal for her son to operate the vehicle.
Just before that incident, state attorney general Rob Bonta and several county district attorneys put forth a consumer alert about the safety laws related to ebikes. Vehicles with two wheels that can exceed 28mph using pedal assistance or can exceed 20mph with throttle assistance are considered mopeds or motorcycles rather than ebikes, the alert stated.
The alert warned that retailers were marketing two-wheeled vehicles as electric bicycles when they did not qualify as such. Mopeds and motorcycles have age limits and require special licensing.
“Sometimes, what looks like an ebike or is marketed as an ebike is not a bike at all. We are seeing a surge of safety incidents on our sidewalks, parks and streets,” Bonta said.
Amazon said the retailer is working to remove listings for ebikes or e-motorcycles that do not comply with California regulations.
KCRA 3 reported finding vehicles listed as ebikes that could exceed 40mph(65km/h). The outlet said that after contacting Amazon, the company removed the listings and said it would require third-party companies selling ebikes to follow state laws and company policy.
Todd Spitzer, the Orange county district attorney who charged Mejer, praised the development and noted in a statement that last week a 13-year-old boy died after crashing an e-motorcycle he was riding.
“More than 100 deaths across the United States have resulted from ebike and E-motorcycle crashes and injuries have increased 430% in the last four years in southern California,” Spitzer said.
Q&A
What prompted Amazon to halt sales of high-speed ebikes in California?
Amazon's decision was prompted by a series of fatal accidents and a consumer alert issued by the California attorney general regarding the legality and safety of certain high-speed electric bicycles.
What are the legal definitions for ebikes in California?
In California, vehicles that exceed 28mph with pedal assistance or 20mph with throttle assistance are classified as mopeds or motorcycles, not ebikes, which have different licensing requirements.
What incidents led to the consumer alert about high-speed ebikes?
The consumer alert followed a fatal incident in which an 81-year-old man was killed by a teenager illegally riding an e-motorcycle, leading to legal charges against the teen's mother.
