Trending Now - Amazon Ceases Sales of Controversial Ebikes in California

WHO:

The Guardian - Amazon, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Tommi Jo Mejer, Todd Spitzer

Electrek - Amazon, California Attorney General Rob Bonta

WHAT:

The Guardian - Amazon plans to stop selling certain high-speed electric bicycles in California.

The Guardian - An 81-year-old man in Orange County died after being struck by a teenager riding an illegal e-motorcycle.

The Guardian - Tommi Jo Mejer has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Ed Ashman.

The Guardian - More than 100 deaths across the United States have resulted from e-bike and e-motorcycle crashes.

The Guardian - Injuries from e-bike and e-motorcycle incidents have increased 430% in the last four years in Southern California.

Electrek - Amazon will stop allowing the sale of high-speed electric motorbikes that exceed California's legal e-bike limits.

Electrek - Legal electric bicycles in California must follow a three-class e-bike system.

WHERE:

The Guardian - California

The Guardian - Orange County, California

Electrek - California

WHEN:

The Guardian - A consumer alert was issued last month by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The Guardian - The incident involving the 81-year-old man occurred in April.

WHY:

The Guardian - The decision to halt sales follows a string of high-profile incidents and a consumer alert regarding safety laws related to e-bikes.

Electrek - The crackdown addresses the growing issue of high-speed electric motorbikes being marketed as e-bikes despite exceeding legal definitions.

HOW:

The Guardian - Amazon is working to remove listings for e-bikes or e-motorcycles that do not comply with California regulations.

Electrek - Amazon confirmed it is requiring third-party sellers to comply with California regulations and Amazon policies regarding e-bike classifications.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 06:04 UTC)

Amazon has announced plans to stop selling certain high-speed electric bicycles that exceed California's legal limits, following a series of incidents and a consumer alert from California Attorney General Rob Bonta. In a tragic case, an 81-year-old man in Orange County died after being struck by a teenager on an illegal e-motorcycle, leading to charges of involuntary manslaughter against the rider, Tommi Jo Mejer. The decision comes amid a concerning rise in injuries from e-bike and e-motorcycle crashes, which have surged by 430% in the last four years in Southern California, prompting Amazon to ensure compliance with state regulations.