Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent cease-and-desist letters to more than 40 online retailers on Tuesday, demanding they stop selling high-speed e-bikes and electric scooters that are illegal under New York City law. The enforcement action targets companies including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Wayfair, which have been selling devices capable of exceeding the city’s 15 mph speed limit.
The move comes one week after a 17-year-old boy died in a collision while riding an illegal e-bike near the Brooklyn Bridge. The vehicle he was operating, a DP Power QS7, is capable of reaching more than 30 mph—double the legal limit in the city.
The retailers have until August 18 to comply with the orders, according to Mamdani’s office. Those that continue selling prohibited devices face civil penalties of up to $2,000 per infraction. The administration also plans to pursue injunctions against companies that do not cease the illegal sales, according to the city’s corporation counsel.
New York City has prohibited e-bikes exceeding 25 mph and those with motors over 750 watts since 2020. E-scooters are capped at 20 mph. Despite these clear legal boundaries, major retailers have continued to market and sell devices that violate these rules, often without informing customers that the products are illegal to operate in the city. Mamdani noted that some retailers advertise these vehicles on social media with targeted ads aimed at New Yorkers, creating confusion about what is legal to purchase and ride.
The enforcement action reflects a broader safety crisis. Between 2017 and 2025, illegal e-bikes capable of exceeding 25 mph were involved in 45 rider deaths, accounting for 54 percent of all e-bike fatalities during that period, according to data cited by Mamdani’s office. Stand-up scooters capable of traveling faster than 20 mph were involved in 14 deaths over the same span, representing 52 percent of all stand-up scooter deaths.
The city’s action comes as the New York City Council considers 17 bills aimed at regulating e-bikes and scooters. Council Speaker Julie Menin announced the legislative package on Tuesday, saying the city cannot wait for another tragedy. Mamdani said the city will work with the Council and state lawmakers to explore additional legislative measures to prevent illegal devices from reaching city streets.
The cease-and-desist strategy targets the supply chain rather than individual riders. Mamdani argued that the burden of compliance should not fall on consumers who may not realize a product sold online is illegal in New York City. By putting major retailers on notice, the administration aims to reduce the availability of prohibited devices and eliminate the marketing practices that mislead customers about legality.
Mamdani has faced scrutiny over other policy decisions, but the e-bike enforcement appears to have broader backing. New York Attorney General Tish James issued a consumer alert on Friday warning residents about illegal e-vehicles and praised the mayor’s crackdown. The Department of Transportation commissioner emphasized that the legal standards are straightforward: e-bikes over 25 mph are illegal, as are scooters over 20 mph and mopeds without vehicle identification numbers.
Sources
- YouTube (FOX 5 New York) — Full video transcript of Mayor Mamdani’s August 5, 2026 press conference announcing the cease-and-desist letters, including details on the 40+ retailers, August 18 deadline, $2,000 fines, and the fatal crash involving the DP Power QS7
- Gothamist — Reporting on the cease-and-desist orders, the 42 retailers named, the 17-year-old fatality, the 15 mph city speed limit, and historical data on e-bike and scooter deaths between 2017-2025
- NYC Department of Transportation and NYC.gov — Official city announcements and social media posts confirming the cease-and-desist action and legal speed/wattage limits for e-bikes and scooters
- NYC Bike Law and E-Bike Regulation Resources — Confirmation of NYC’s 15 mph e-bike speed limit, 750-watt motor limit, and state legal framework for e-bikes
