Page 24 - The Indian EYE 081426

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 14, 2026 | The Indian Eye 24

Mayor Mamdani Issues Cease-and-Desist

Orders to Online Retailers Selling Dangerous,

Illegal Motorized Devices to New Yorkers

Forty-two retailers put on notice for illegally selling high-speed devices that account for more
than half of all rider fatalities involving e-bikes and stand-up scooters

NEERAJ DHAR

NEW YORK, NY
ayor Zohran Kwame Mam-
dani has announced legal
Maction against online retail-
ers illegally selling dangerous motor-
ized devices — including high-speed
e-bikes, stand-up e-scooters and other
products that cannot legally be operat-
ed on New York City streets.
The City has issued cease-and-
desist orders to 42 online retailers
demanding they immediately stop
selling these illegal devices to cus-
tomers in New York City’s 175 ZIP
codes. The products being marketed
and shipped into the city exceed legal
limits for speed, weight or other safety
requirements and cannot lawfully be alarming trend on our streets. While the same period, 14 rider fatalities nesses and consumers throughout our
sold or operated on City streets. Just legal e-mobility remains a great option involved stand-up scooters capable of state about these vehicles, and I thank
last week, one such illegal device was to get around the city, faster illegal traveling faster than 20 mph, represent- Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner

involved in a tragic crash that claimed e-bikes and scooters are dangerous for ing 52% of all stand-up scooter deaths. Flynn for taking action to hold these
the life of a 17-year-old New Yorker. everyone who shares our streets, in- Retailers that continue selling retailers accountable.”
“Every family deserves to know cluding riders,” said NYC DOT Com- prohibited devices after receiving a “Delivery workers rely on e-bikes
that when their loved ones leave missioner Mike Flynn. “These online cease-and-desist order may face a civil and mopeds to earn a living in one of
home, they will make it back safely. retailers have allowed New Yorkers to penalty of up to $2,000 for each ille- the most exploitative — and danger-
That promise becomes harder to keep purchase products that are illegal to gal sale. Illegal devices found operat- ous — jobs in New York City. With
when companies profit from knowing- sell or operate on city streets — and ing on New York City streets may also little support from the app companies
ly selling illegal, high-speed vehicles that must come to an end.” be impounded. they work for, many are forced to nav-
that have no place in our city. Since Under New York City law, it is illegal to The Mamdani administration igate a confusing marketplace where
2017, more than 45 people have been sell or operate on public streets: continues to take aggressive action illegal, unsafe vehicles are often the
killed while riding illegal e-bikes, in- • Motorized stand-up scooters weigh- to improve street safety, with the first most accessible and affordable option.
cluding the young New Yorker whose ing more than 100 pounds or capa- half of 2026 recording historic lows in Improving street safety for all New
life was cut short last week, and more ble of traveling faster than 20 mph. pedestrian fatalities. Yorkers means ensuring those vehicles
than 14 people have died while riding • E-bikes equipped with electric mo- NYC DOT continues to redesign are never sold in the first place. Work-
illegal stand-up scooters, including the tors larger than 750 watts or capable streets using proven safety measures er’s Justice Project applauds the City’s
horrific incident at the Queensboro of speeds exceeding 25 mph. that reduce crashes and save lives. Re- efforts to address this problem at its
Bridge earlier this year. These are not • Seated mopeds that do not have and cent projects include improvements source and hold retailers accountable
unavoidable tragedies, they are pre- display a valid Vehicle Identification along Tremont and Bailey avenues in for selling illegal vehicles that put far
ventable losses,” said Mayor Mamdani. Number (VIN). the Bronx, McGuinness Boulevard too many workers and New Yorkers
“Today, we’re putting online retailers • Dangerous illegal e-bikes and stand- and the area surrounding Wingate at risk. We look forward to continu-
on notice: if you continue selling dan- up e-scooters have proliferated in Park in Brooklyn, 31st Avenue and ing our partnership with the Depart-
gerous, illegal devices into New York recent years largely through online 31st Street in Queens and Sixth and ment of Transportation to strengthen
City, you will be held accountable. We sales. These illegal devices now ac- Ninth avenues in Manhattan. worker safety through education and
will use every tool available to make count for more than half of all rid- “Every New Yorker should be able access to safe, legal transportation op-
our streets safer for everyone who er fatalities involving e-bikes and to walk down the sidewalk and cross tions and resources, alongside smart
walks, bikes, drives or rides.” stand-up scooters. the street without fear,” said New enforcement and accountability for
“Two of the biggest factors of the Between 2017 and 2025, 45 rider York Attorney General Letitia James. those who profit from selling illegal
severity of a traffic crash are the speed fatalities involved illegal e-bikes ca- “Those who sell illegal e-motos to New vehicles,” said Ligia Guallpa, Execu-
and weight of a vehicle, which is why pable of traveling faster than 25 mph, Yorkers are fueling a tragic rise in inju- tive Director of Worker’s Justice Proj-
the proliferation of faster, heavier accounting for 54% of all e-bike rid- ries and fatal accidents on our streets. ect and Co-Founder of Los Deliveris-
illegal e-mobility devices is such an er deaths during that period. During My office has sent an advisory to busi- tas Unidos.

www.TheIndianEYE.com