Amazon Removes E-Bike Listings Above 40 MPH in California
AMZN•Amazon removed third-party listings in California for e-bikes advertised with top speeds above 40 mph after California AG Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert following multiple fatal crashes. Amazon now requires all sellers to match state e-bike classifications, and it is reviewing similar products for compliance.
1. Fatal Crashes Prompt Regulatory Alert
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and district attorneys from Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties issued a consumer alert warning that e-bikes advertised at top speeds above 28 mph violate state law and may pose significant safety risks after multiple fatal crashes, including a 13-year-old’s death on a 35 mph device.
2. Amazon Withdraws Third-Party E-Bike Listings
Upon notification, Amazon removed third-party listings for e-bikes advertised with top speeds exceeding 40 mph, requiring sellers to adhere to California’s three-class e-bike framework—20 mph for throttle-powered models and 28 mph for pedal-assist devices—and to meet Amazon’s internal classification standards.
3. Policy Update and Future Review
Amazon says it is conducting a comprehensive review of comparable products to ensure compliance, raising questions about whether its stricter enforcement will extend to other major markets and how it may affect marketplace operations and seller relationships.
