Amazon says it won't sell e-bikes in California that exceed state speed limits

"After several deadly crashes, Amazon says it will no longer allow California sales of certain e-bikes that can go faster than state speed limits, according to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. This comes after a consumer alert issued by California Attorney General Rob Bonta last month, which called for pedal-assisted e-bikes not to exceed 28 mph, plus a 20 mph limit on throttle-assisted e-bikes."

"Bike safety advocates say Bonta's guidelines will also better distinguish e-bikes from e-motorcycles. "Sort of differentiating a true e-bike... and these sort of bikes that really defy categorization, is by making a firm line to say, 'These really require a different level of regulation, licensing.' And that, I think, will really save lives," said Eli Akira Kaufman, the executive director of Bike L.A."

"Bicycle advocates say many people and parents don't understand the three classes of e-bikes. "The things people are selling as e-bikes are clearly motorcycles, mopeds, off-road dirt bikes, out-of-class devices that might have pedals, and they can sell them as 'e-bikes' because they are electric and they are bikes, but they're totally illegal for electric bicycles," said Bill Sellin with the Orange County Bicycle Coalition."

"Under state law, Class 1 provides pedal-assist up to 20 mph, Class 2 includes a throttle and pedal-assist up to 20 mph and Class 3 offers pedal-assist up"

Amazon will no longer allow California sales of certain e-bikes that can exceed state speed limits after deadly crashes. The change follows a consumer alert from California Attorney General Rob Bonta calling for pedal-assisted e-bikes not to exceed 28 mph and for throttle-assisted e-bikes to be limited to 20 mph. Safety advocates say clearer lines between true e-bikes and devices that resemble motorcycles will require different regulation and licensing, which can reduce fatalities. Deaths involving e-bikes and e-motorcycles have risen nationwide and in California. Local actions include efforts to keep e-bikes off many recreational trails. Advocates also say many buyers and parents misunderstand e-bike classes, since some products are sold as e-bikes despite being illegal under bicycle rules. California law defines Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes by speed and whether throttle or pedal assist is used.

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