Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Forty-two retailers put on notice for illegally selling high-speed devices that account for more than half of all rider fatalities involving e-bikes and stand-up scooters
NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced legal action against online retailers illegally selling dangerous motorized devices — including high-speed e-bikes, stand-up e-scooters and other products that cannot legally be operated on New York City streets.
The City has issued cease-and-desist orders to 42 online retailers demanding they immediately stop selling these illegal devices to customers in New York City’s 175 ZIP codes. The products being marketed and shipped into the city exceed legal limits for speed, weight or other safety requirements and cannot lawfully be sold or operated on City streets. Just last week, one such illegal device was involved in a tragic crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old New Yorker.
Under New York City law, it is illegal to sell or operate on public streets:
• Motorized stand-up scooters weighing more than 100 pounds or capable of traveling faster than 20 mph.
• E-bikes equipped with electric motors larger than 750 watts or capable of speeds exceeding 25 mph.
• Seated mopeds that do not have and display a valid Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Dangerous illegal e-bikes and stand-up e-scooters have proliferated in recent years largely through online sales. These illegal devices now account for more than half of all rider fatalities involving e-bikes and stand-up scooters.
Between 2017 and 2025, 45 rider fatalities involved illegal e-bikes capable of traveling faster than 25 mph, accounting for 54% of all e-bike rider deaths during that period. During the same period, 14 rider fatalities involved stand-up scooters capable of traveling faster than 20 mph, representing 52% of all stand-up scooter deaths.
Retailers that continue selling prohibited devices after receiving a cease-and-desist order may face a civil penalty of up to $2,000 for each illegal sale. Illegal devices found operating on New York City streets may also be impounded.
The Mamdani administration continues to take aggressive action to improve street safety, with the first half of 2026 recording historic lows in pedestrian fatalities.
NYC DOT continues to redesign streets using proven safety measures that reduce crashes and save lives. Recent projects include improvements along Tremont and Bailey avenues in the Bronx, McGuinness Boulevard and the area surrounding Wingate Park in Brooklyn, 31st Avenue and 31st Street in Queens and Sixth and Ninth avenues in Manhattan.
The Blue Room,
City Hall
Lower Manhattan
August 5, 2026
Forty-two retailers put on notice for illegally selling high-speed devices that account for more than half of all rider fatalities involving e-bikes and stand-up scooters
NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced legal action against online retailers illegally selling dangerous motorized devices — including high-speed e-bikes, stand-up e-scooters and other products that cannot legally be operated on New York City streets.
The City has issued cease-and-desist orders to 42 online retailers demanding they immediately stop selling these illegal devices to customers in New York City’s 175 ZIP codes. The products being marketed and shipped into the city exceed legal limits for speed, weight or other safety requirements and cannot lawfully be sold or operated on City streets. Just last week, one such illegal device was involved in a tragic crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old New Yorker.
Under New York City law, it is illegal to sell or operate on public streets:
• Motorized stand-up scooters weighing more than 100 pounds or capable of traveling faster than 20 mph.
• E-bikes equipped with electric motors larger than 750 watts or capable of speeds exceeding 25 mph.
• Seated mopeds that do not have and display a valid Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Dangerous illegal e-bikes and stand-up e-scooters have proliferated in recent years largely through online sales. These illegal devices now account for more than half of all rider fatalities involving e-bikes and stand-up scooters.
Between 2017 and 2025, 45 rider fatalities involved illegal e-bikes capable of traveling faster than 25 mph, accounting for 54% of all e-bike rider deaths during that period. During the same period, 14 rider fatalities involved stand-up scooters capable of traveling faster than 20 mph, representing 52% of all stand-up scooter deaths.
Retailers that continue selling prohibited devices after receiving a cease-and-desist order may face a civil penalty of up to $2,000 for each illegal sale. Illegal devices found operating on New York City streets may also be impounded.
The Mamdani administration continues to take aggressive action to improve street safety, with the first half of 2026 recording historic lows in pedestrian fatalities.
NYC DOT continues to redesign streets using proven safety measures that reduce crashes and save lives. Recent projects include improvements along Tremont and Bailey avenues in the Bronx, McGuinness Boulevard and the area surrounding Wingate Park in Brooklyn, 31st Avenue and 31st Street in Queens and Sixth and Ninth avenues in Manhattan.
The Blue Room,
City Hall
Lower Manhattan
August 5, 2026
