Basic HTML Version

|  | Table of Contents |  | View Full Version

Page 24 - The Indian EYE 081426
P. 24

    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

| 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 |