New York City (NYC) Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ordered a crackdown on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and issued a cease-and-desist order to 42 retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Temu and Target for selling illegal bikes.
Is he going after an environmentally friendly mode of transportation for New Yorkers? The Demcoratic-socialist mayor issues orders after a surge in traffic accidents involving e-scooters.
A 17-year-old Gabriel Nacato was killed near the City Hall in an accident last week. He was driving a vehicle, a Deepower QS7 e-bike, capable of reaching 30 mph, a speed not allowed in bike lanes.”
The illegal e-bikes and e-scooter are the ones having motors over 750 watts that allow these vehicles to travel faster than the allowed limit. The allowed speed limit for electric bikes in New York City is 15 miles per hour (mph).
The 34-year-old first-ever Muslim mayor of NYC allowed retailers to comply with new guidelines by August 18, 2026 and threatened a $2000 fine, if they continue selling illegal products.
In a press conference to announce the new regulations, Mamdani said: “As we continue to focus on this work, we will let New Yorkers know what the next steps are. For now, cease-and-desist orders are our focus.”
New York City Council (NYCC) has also announced a “comprehensive review of existing laws” to find the “extra solutions needed to make New Yorkers feel safe.”
Speaker Julie Menin said: “New Yorkers should never have to wonder whether a walk through their neighborhood or bike ride to work will end in an accident.”
2026-08-06 21:11:00
