Illegal E-Motos Still Being Shipped To NYC Despite Mamdani Cease-And-Desist Deadline

Badge of dishonor. What part of “cease and desist” don’t they understand? Massive online retailers Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are defying a Mamdani order to stop selling dangerous and illegal e-motos and scooters to New York City customers — and the administration is preparing to take the rogues to court. A review of the offerings on both retail giants showed that both continue to promote listings of illegal e-motos and scooters — despite an Aug. 5 cease-and-desist letter sent by the Mamdani administration to 42 retailers accused of selling illegal two-wheeled electric vehicles. At the time, Mayor Mamdani set an Aug. 18 deadline to comply, or risk a fine of up to $2,000 per device sold. Streetsblog’s review found that around 19 of the 42 companies — including Amazon and Walmart — have stopped shipping to city addresses. But major resale marketplaces, like Facebook, still have many listings for illegal devices. “Facebook basically does not feel that the laws in New York City apply to them,” said Baruch Herzfeld, co-founder of PopWheels, a certified e-bike battery swapping company.  “This is an existing statute that has been on the books. When I check my Facebook in the morning, I see who
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