After deadly accidents, Amazon halts sales of high-speed e-bikes in California
Source: Mashable Tech
Amazon halts sales of high‑speed e‑bikes in California
Amazon will stop selling e‑bikes in California that exceed the state’s speed limits, after local communities reported an increase in dangerous accidents and fatalities.
Legal and regulatory context
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced the new commerce rule on Monday, stating that the online retailer is actively removing listings for high‑speed bikes that don’t comply with California regulations.
An Orange County mother appeared in court on Tuesday facing charges, including involuntary manslaughter, after her 14‑year‑old son struck and killed an 81‑year‑old man while riding an e‑bike.
State consumer alert and e‑bike classifications
Last month, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of state district attorneys issued a consumer alert on e‑bike safety, highlighting state laws that define and regulate two‑wheeled vehicles. Under California law, vehicles that go over 28 mph with pedal assistance or 20 mph with throttle assistance are classified as Class 3 vehicles and are subject to stricter licensing and age requirements.
- Class 1 and Class 2 bikes (max 20 mph, with or without throttle assistance) have no minimum age requirements.
- Class 3 vehicles require riders to be at least 16 years old and often require a valid driver’s license.
- Helmets are required for all classes.
“Sometimes, what looks like an e‑bike or is marketed as an e‑bike is not a bike at all,” wrote Bonta in the press release. “We are seeing a surge of safety incidents on our sidewalks, parks, and streets. Bike riders and parents: If your or your teen’s electric two‑wheeled vehicle goes too fast, it might be a motorcycle or a moped — not an e‑bike.”
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