SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Amazon no longer is selling e-bikes shipped to California that exceed the state mandated maximum speed of 28 mph following a TV station's investigation.
KCRA-NBC Channel 3 in Sacramento said an Amazon online search showed several e-bikes with advertised speeds of more than 40 mph that were available to be shipped to California. KCRA contacted Amazon about the listings, saying the state requires "all e-bikes sold by third-party sellers to comply with state laws, regulations and Amazon policies."
The station said Amazon removed the e-bikes and will investigate "compliance for similar products."
Last month, the state attorney general and three district attorneys issued a joint consumer alert about e-motos and the difference between them and low-speed e-bikes. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Marin County District Attorney Lori Frugoli, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe reminded manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and parents that e-bikes don't provide pedal assistance beyond 28 mph, throttle assistance beyond 20 mph, nor have a motor with more than 750 watts of power.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer posted the news on his Facebook page, adding, "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. ... (Bonta) said e-bikes exceeding these speeds are classified as mopeds or motorcycles, requiring additional licensing and age restrictions."
California has had an increasing number of e-moto crashes resulting in injuries. Also last month, an Aliso Viejo mother was initially charged with felony child endangerment after her 14-year-old son riding an e-moto critically injured an 81-year-old Vietnam War veteran. The man, Ed Ashman, died two weeks later. The boy's mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, has additionally been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
