Amazon has decided to stop selling certain high-speed electric bikes in California after a series of fatal crashes.
This decision follows an April consumer alert from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who highlighted a rise in deaths related to electric bike and motorcycle crashes. Bonta emphasized the importance of adhering to state speed limits, which cap pedal-assisted e-bikes at 28 mph and throttle-assisted e-bikes at 20 mph.
The announcement, first reported by KCRA, comes amid growing concerns about the safety of these vehicles. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer noted that Amazon removed e-bikes advertised with speeds over 40 mph after being contacted by KCRA. Spitzer has charged several parents for allowing their children to ride electric motorcycles illegally, referring to them as “loaded weapons.”
Recent incidents underscore the dangers. In one case, a 14-year-old boy on an e-motorcycle allegedly struck and killed an 81-year-old man, leading to an involuntary manslaughter charge against his mother. In another incident, a 13-year-old boy died after crashing an e-bike in Garden Grove while traveling at about 35 mph.
Amazon’s move aligns with efforts by the Los Angeles City Council to restrict e-bikes on city recreational trails, citing risks to hikers. E-bikes will still be allowed on designated bikeways, such as those along the L.A. River. As reported by KTLA, over 100 deaths nationwide have been linked to e-bike and e-motorcycle crashes, with injuries in Southern California rising 430% in the past four years.
Amazon is now requiring all e-bikes sold by third-party sellers to comply with California laws and is investigating noncompliant listings. The company has not yet provided additional comments on the matter.
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