Full Breakdown
Amazon Halts Sales of High-Speed E-Bikes in California
5/12/2026, 12:18:58 PM
Amazon Halts Sales of High-Speed E-Bikes in California
Amazon announced it will stop listing electric two-wheelers that exceed California’s speed limits and will require third-party sellers to verify compliance with state law. The policy shift follows a consumer alert from the state attorney general and a series of fatal e-bike crashes.
Legal Framework and Recent Crashes
California classifies e-bikes into three classes: Class 1/2 up to 20 mph, Class 3 up to 28 mph. Faster vehicles are legally mopeds or motorcycles, requiring a license and a minimum age of 16. In the past month, an 81-year-old teacher died, and three teenagers aged 13-14 were killed in separate e-bike incidents.
Officials and Advocacy Voices
Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the consumer alert warning that many “e-bikes” are not bikes at all. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced Amazon’s policy change and charged teen mother Tommi Jo Mejer with involuntary manslaughter. Bike L.A. director Eli Kaufman urged stricter regulation, while Orange County Bicycle Coalition’s Bill Sellin called the devices illegal.
Criticism and Alternative Views
Bike advocacy groups praise the crackdown as necessary for rider safety, but some commentators argue that an outright ban may be excessive, suggesting targeted enforcement and clearer labeling could address illegal sales without restricting legitimate private-property use.
On-the-Ground Incidents
On April 16, 81-year-old substitute teacher Ed Ashman was killed after a teen on an e-motorcycle struck him in Orange County. The teen’s mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, faces involuntary manslaughter charges. In May, 13-year-old Reis Beck died in Simi Valley, and another 13-year-old died after losing control of an e-motorcycle traveling about 35 mph in Garden Grove.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Amazon has not provided a detailed public statement beyond confirming policy changes. Sources cite “over 100 deaths nationwide” while also referencing specific California fatalities, creating a discrepancy in casualty figures. Enforcement mechanisms for third-party compliance remain unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Rob Bonta, California Attorney General
- “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,” — Todd Spitzer, Orange County District Attorney
- “Sort of differentiating a true e-bike... and these sort of bikes that really defy categorization, is by making a firm line to say, 'These really require a different level of regulation, licensing.' And that, I think, will really save lives,” — Eli Kaufman, Bike L.A.
- “IF YOU GO ON AMAZON AND YOU SEARCH E-BIKE, YOU’RE GOING TO GET AN ILLEGAL DEVICE TODAY.” — Kendra Ramsey, California Bicycle Coalition
What’s Next
Amazon will audit third-party listings for compliance with California’s e-bike classifications and cooperate with local law-enforcement investigations. State officials plan additional consumer-alert campaigns, and advocacy groups are urging statewide legislation to tighten speed and power limits for electric two-wheelers.
