Authorities are concerned about increasing numbers of crashes, injuries, and unsafe riding involving high-powered electric bikes, particularly among teenagers and children riding bikes capable of motorcycle-like speeds.
California E-Moto Crackdown: Amazon Ban and Bill SB1167
Written by: Kazim Ladimeji | May 27, 2026 | Time to read 6 min
California is cracking down on unsafe high-speed electric bikes, and now Amazon appears to be following suit after state officials issued a consumer alert to retailers.
More about the Author: Kazim Ladimeji
Kazim is a UK-based cyclist and writer who discovered his passion for riding during lockdown six years ago and hasn’t looked back since. He now rides around 100 miles a week, exploring road and light gravel routes from his base in the Cotswolds, a cycling paradise. When he’s not riding or writing about e-Bike trails in the US, he’s exploring cafés, cooking, and keeping busy as a soccer dad
California has some of the strictest e-Bike safety regulations in the United States, particularly around motor power, assisted speed limits, battery safety, and rider protection. Following growing concerns about injuries and fatalities, the misleading marketing of e-motorcycles as e-Bikes, and a rise in e-Bike crashes involving children, Amazon has reportedly stopped selling certain high-powered electric bikes to California residents.
As of late May, reports from major news outlets suggest Amazon has stopped selling certain high-speed electric bikes to California residents, particularly bikes that fall outside California’s legal e-Bike classifications, with capabilities of electric motorcycles rather than traditional electric bicycles.
In this article, I summarize why Amazon appears to have taken this action, what qualifies as a legal electric bike in California, and what parents and consumers should look for when purchasing an e-Bike.
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What electric bikes has Amazon withdrawn from sale in California?
Reports on several news sites, including the LA Times, CBS, Fox, and the UK’s Guardian, suggest that Amazon will no longer be selling e-Bikes in California that exceed state speed limits.
This means that any electric bike capable of exceeding 28 mph with pedal assist or 20 mph with throttle assist (where no pedaling is necessary) will not be sold or shipped to California.
Typically, these electric bikes will have more than 750 watts of motor power (exceeding California electric bike power limits) and can reach speeds in excess of 40 mph. California residents can no longer buy such bikes on Amazon.
California residents can continue to buy legal e-bikes on Amazon or they can access our wide collection of UL Certified, California-compliant Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes online or by visiting our LA Bike Showroom in Redondo Beach.
Why has Amazon taken this action?
Amazon told the Guardian that they were removing e-Bikes and illegal e-motorcycles that breached California regulations. This action follows on from a safety alert from the LA Attorney’s Office in April to parents, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers following a surge in safety incidents on sidewalks, parks, and roads across Los Angeles.
Officials believe many of these incidents involve high-speed electric bikes (often ridden recklessly) that are effectively functioning as electric motorcycles due to their excessive speed and power. These illicit e-motorcycles ordinarily face tighter legal controls and typically require:
- A driver’s license
- State registration
- Insurance
Retailers and manufacturers are also being reminded that electric bikes must be correctly labelled, marketed, and sold under the appropriate classification. Parents and consumers are being encouraged to ensure that any electric bike purchased for themselves or their children is correctly classified and complies with California law.
How bad is the electric bike safety problem really?
According to the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, there has been a sharp increase in e-Bike and e-motorcycle injuries involving children:
- 6 injuries in 2023
- 12 injuries in 2024
- 34 injuries in 2025
- 21 injuries in the first 5 months of 2026
The numbers are genuinely worrying: e-Bike and e-motorcycle injuries are now reportedly the number one reason children are admitted to ER in Orange County, with 61.7% of e-motorcycle crashes involving children. Concerns of retailers misleadingly marketing these unregulated and illegal e-motos as legal electric bikes to children and consumer compounds this safety problem.
What is a safe and legal electric bike in California?
A safe and legal electric bike adheres to three-class e-Bike classification systems (Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3)
However, looking forward California’s Senate Bill 1167 is progressing through the legislature and if approved will strengthen the three-class system, clarify the difference between e-motos and e-Bikes and toughen the safety and regulatory environment.
A safe and legal electric bike under the proposed California SB 1167 e-Bike regulations should meet the following criteria:
- Fully operable pedals and an electric motor
- Maximum motor power output of 750 watts
- A battery certified by an approved safety testing laboratory, such as UL
- Permanent labelling displaying the bike’s class and top assisted speed
The electric bike must also adhere to California’s three-class electric bike system:
- Class 1 e-Bikes: Pedal assistance 3 only, with motor assistance cutting out at 20 mph
- Class 2 e-Bikes: Throttle assistance or pedal-assistance with electric assist cutting out at 20 mph
- Class 3 e-Bikes: Pedal-assist only up to 28 mph. Riders must be at least 16 years old, wear a helmet, and the bike must include a speedometer.
If an electric vehicle does not meet these criteria, it may actually be classifiable as an e-motorcycle under SB 1167 and subject to additional legal requirements such as:
- Registration
- Insurance
- A driving license or motorcycle endorsement
Retailers will also be required to inform potential buyers that these vehicles are not legally classified as standard electric bicycles.
What can parents and consumers do to ensure they and their children are riding legal electric bikes in California?
I believe California’s newer regulations remove much of the confusion around whether a product is genuinely an electric-assisted bicycle or effectively an e-motorcycle.
Assuming the retailer is following the law correctly, parents should now be able to verify that an advertised e-Bike is genuinely a legal e-Bike by checking:
- The bike’s classification label
- Top assisted speed
- Motor wattage
- Battery safety certification
Consumers should also purchase from reputable retailers that clearly display this information both online and in-store. If buying online, check that the retailer clearly lists the bike’s class, top speed, and motor wattage specifications, like all our electric bikes listed on Upway.
In my opinion, tighter regulation is ultimately a good thing. Electric bikes are an important and sustainable transportation option, especially for young adults and commuters, and the SB 1167 allows them to be sold and used responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are California authorities concerned about unsafe e-Bikes?
Can Amazon still sell legal electric bikes in California?
Yes. Amazon can still sell legal Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 electric bikes that comply with California regulations regarding speed limits, motor wattage, labelling, and battery safety standards.
What should parents check before buying an e-Bike for their child?
Parents should check the bike’s classification label, maximum assisted speed, motor wattage, and battery certification. They should also ensure the bike is age-appropriate and legally compliant under California law.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon has reportedly stopped selling certain high-speed electric bikes to California residents.
- California regulators are increasingly focused on rider safety, battery safety, and preventing illegal high-speed bikes from being marketed as legal e-Bikes.
- Parents and consumers should always verify e-Bike class, speed, wattage, and battery certification before buying.
