Amazon Discontinues Sale Of High-Speed E-Bikes In California

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Amazon will no longer allow the sale of certain high-speed e-bikes in California as the state grapples with widespread confusion about e-bike laws and the toll on human lives.

The move comes on the heels of a consumer alert issued by California Attorney General Rob Bonta last month warning merchants about illegal electric bikes and motorcycles being marketed to consumers.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer addressed the announcement on social media Sunday, citing growing concerns over crashes involving minors riding electric bikes and motorcycles. He applauded Amazon's decision.

RELATED: When E-Bikes Meet the Law: CA’s Fight Over Safety, Speed, And Accountability

"A search on Amazon revealed numerous e-bikes advertised with speeds over 40 miles per hour," Spitzer said on X. "More than 100 deaths across the United States have resulted from e-bike and E-Motorcycle crashes and injuries have increased 430% in the last four years in Southern California."

Spitzer highlighted two e-bike tragedies that made headlines this month.

"The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed manslaughter charges against an Aliso Viejo mother after her 14-year-old son hit and killed an 81-year-old man last month while the boy was riding an E-motorcycle she had been repeatedly warned was illegal for him to ride," he said. "And a 13-year-old boy died Friday after he crashed the illegal E-motorcycle he was riding in Garden Grove."

Spitzer credited Bonta's alert for helping businesses and families understand the laws around e-bikes.

Bonta's consumer alert warned that pedal-assisted e-bikes cannot exceed 28 miles per hour, while throttle-assisted e-bikes are limited to 20 miles per hour under state law.

Bikes capable of faster speeds may be classified as mopeds or motorcycles, which require additional licensing, registration, and age limitations.

The issue has drawn a surge of attention in Orange County after several recent crashes involving young riders.

Authorities believe speed may have been a factor in multiple e-bike crashes, and, in at least one case, a youth was driving an illegal e-motorbike when he struck an 81-year-old Vietnam War veteran and substitute teacher, while doing a wheelie on April 16 in Lake Forest, accordingh to prosecutors.

That fatal crash was followed by the death of a 13-year-old Santa Ana boy who was riding an e-motorcycle in Garden Grove when he crashed his bike.

Local authorities said the boy may have hit the center median on Magnolia Street near Larson, resulting in the crash.

Authorities did not say whether the child was wearing a helmet or how fast he was going.

The issue has drawn widespread concern across the region, with Change.org petitions calling for the revised regulations and laws regarding e-bikes drawing signatures across SoCal.

One Orange County resident's petition seeks to require driver's licenses for e-bike operators.

"Imagine walking down a bustling street in California, only to have a close encounter with someone zooming past on an e-bike or scooter at alarming speed. The looming danger of accidents involving these vehicles is a growing concern, both for those riding and for pedestrians alike. As a frequent pedestrian and driver, I have witnessed numerous near-misses that could easily have become tragic accidents," the petition reads. "To address this issue, we propose that the state of California enforce a requirement for all e-bike and scooter riders to obtain a specialized driver’s license."

MORE E-BIKE NEWS:

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• OC Mom Of Boy, 14, Who Critically Injured Vietnam Vet In E-Moto Hit And Run Charged: DA
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