NYC Declares War on Fast E-Bikes, Sends Cease-and-Desist Letters to Online Retailers

New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has taken aim at online retailers selling high-speed electric bikes and scooters that don't comply with city laws. In a move to crack down on e-bikes exceeding speed limits, the city has sent cease-and-desist letters to 40 online retailers, including Amazon and Walmart.

The city claims that these retailers have until later this month to stop selling the prohibited vehicles or face fines of up to $2,000. The crackdown is part of the city's ongoing effort to regulate micromobility in NYC.

Mayor Mamdani's office has identified a growing challenge for cities regulating e-bikes: online marketplaces hosting thousands of third-party sellers shipping directly to consumers with little regard for local vehicle classifications.