Amazon and Other Retailers Address NYC’s Cease-and-Desist on E-Bike Sales

Amazon has issued a response to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s cease-and-desist letters, which targeted 40 major retailers over the sales of prohibited motorized scooters and e-bikes. These letters were sent to online sellers like Wayfair, Walmart, Temu, Target, and Amazon, demanding they immediately halt sales of these products to New York City residents and businesses.

According to Mayor Mamdani, stores could incur fines of $2,000 starting August 18 if they continue these sales. The prohibition pertains to scooters and e-bikes that exceed legal speed and wattage limits, and some mopeds lacking necessary Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).

Mayor Mamdani announced legal steps against online retailers selling risky motorized devices such as high-speed e-bikes and stand-up e-scooters, which are illegal to operate on New York City streets. The speed limit for e-bikes in the city is set at 15 mph, with maximum speed allowances varying from 20 to 25 mph depending on the bike. Scooters must not exceed a weight of 100 pounds or a speed of 20 mph.

Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn stated, “Let’s be clear, these are motorcycles being marketed to New Yorkers as bicycles.” These actions follow the tragic incident where 17-year-old Gabriel Nacato was killed by an SUV while riding an e-bike in Lower Manhattan. Nacato was on his way to meet a career counselor and submit summer job applications when the accident occurred.

Mamdani remarked that, “The vehicle he was riding is capable of reaching more than 30 miles per hour, a speed that should never be reached in our bike lanes.”

An Amazon spokesperson, in response to the cease-and-desist, informed Nexstar’s WPIX that the corporation is “looking into the products in question” and expressed willingness to collaborate with the mayor and City Council to address the issue. The spokesperson emphasized, “Safety is a top priority and we require e-bikes sold in our store to meet applicable safety standards and Amazon policies.” Target has not yet issued a comment.