New York City sent cease-and-desist letters to 40 online retailers, including Amazon and Target, demanding removal of e‑bikes and scooters that exceed the city’s speed and wattage limits after a 17‑year‑old was killed in Lower Manhattan. Some models are reported to exceed 30 mph. Retailers must comply by Aug 18 or face $2,000 fines per violation; Amazon says it is "looking into" the listings, while Target has not commented.
NYC Demands Online Retailers Remove High‑Speed E‑Bikes After Teen’s Death — Amazon Says It's ‘Looking Into’ Listings
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New York City has issued cease-and-desist letters to 40 online retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Temu and Wayfair, ordering the removal of motorized scooters and e‑bikes that exceed the city’s legal speed and wattage limits.
The action follows a report that some models sold online can exceed 30 miles per hour — speeds more appropriate for open roads than busy city bike lanes — and comes days after 17‑year‑old Gabriel Nacato was killed when he was struck by an SUV while riding an e‑bike in Lower Manhattan.
What the City Is Asking
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s letters demand that vendors remove listings for vehicles that do not meet New York City’s regulatory thresholds. Retailers have until August 18 to comply or face fines of $2,000 per violation, a penalty likely to draw rapid attention from corporate legal teams.
Retailer Responses
A spokesperson for Amazon told local reporters the company will be "looking into the products in question" and said it is willing to cooperate with the mayor and City Council. The statement emphasized that safety is a priority and that sellers on the platform must meet applicable standards. Target has not issued a public comment so far.
Why Officials Are Concerned
City officials and the Department of Transportation warned that some listings are marketed as bicycles but built more like small motorcycles — capable of speeds and power that make them unsafe in pedestrian-heavy areas. Online marketplaces host thousands of third‑party sellers, meaning some listings may not receive the same safety checks a specialized bike shop would perform.
"A bike that can outpace a car in a school zone was probably never meant to share a lane with pedestrians and delivery trucks," city officials said, underscoring the safety risks.
Amazon’s pledge to "look into it" is a common initial response from large companies under regulatory pressure; the city and the public will be watching to see whether offending listings disappear, are relisted with changes, or remain available. If fines begin to be issued after August 18, enforcement will likely provide the clearest indication of how serious the city is about removing noncompliant vehicles from circulation.
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