NEW YORK (VINnews) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has ordered 42 online retailers to stop selling illegal high-speed electric bikes, stand-up scooters and other motorized devices to New York City customers, saying the vehicles pose a growing public safety risk.

The cease-and-desist letters target companies accused of shipping motorized devices that exceed the city’s legal limits for speed, weight or power into New York City’s 175 ZIP codes. Officials said the devices cannot legally be operated on city streets and warned retailers they could face civil penalties of up to $2,000 for each illegal sale if they continue.

City officials said illegal high-speed e-bikes and stand-up scooters have been involved in more than half of rider fatalities involving those types of vehicles since 2017. Authorities cited 45 deaths involving illegal e-bikes capable of speeds above 25 mph and 14 deaths involving illegal stand-up scooters capable of exceeding 20 mph.

The announcement comes days after a 17-year-old was killed in a crash involving an illegal motorized device.

Under city law, e-bikes with motors exceeding 750 watts or capable of traveling faster than 25 mph, stand-up scooters weighing more than 100 pounds or capable of speeds above 20 mph, and certain mopeds without valid vehicle identification numbers are prohibited from being sold or operated on city streets.

Mamdani said the city will pursue enforcement against retailers that continue marketing or shipping prohibited devices to New York consumers, while Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn said the growth of heavier and faster electric vehicles has increased the severity of crashes and risks to riders and pedestrians alike.