Amazon says it won't sell e-bikes in California that exceed state speed limits
ABC7 Los Angeles • • business
Key Points:
- Amazon will stop selling certain e-bikes in California that exceed state speed limits following several deadly crashes, according to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert recommending pedal-assisted e-bikes not exceed 28 mph and throttle-assisted e-bikes be limited to 20 mph to improve safety and clarify e-bike classifications.
- Bike safety advocates emphasize the need to differentiate true e-bikes from faster, motorcycle-like devices to ensure proper regulation and licensing, which they believe will save lives.
- Recent incidents include a mother charged with involuntary manslaughter after her son fatally hit an elderly man on an e-motorcycle, and the death of a 13-year-old boy riding an illegal e-motorcycle in Garden Grove.
- Under California law, e-bikes are classified into three classes based on speed and assistance type, with faster models classified as mopeds or motorcycles requiring licensing; however, faster illegal e-bikes are still being sold online.