Fashionable electrical mopeds in US discovered not avenue authorized, forcing recall

Federal regulators have ordered a recall of Fly E-Bike’s well-liked mannequin referred to as the Fly 10 moped, marking the most recent and maybe most severe blow to the embattled micromobility firm that has lengthy been a serious provider of low-cost electrical mopeds and e-bikes within the US.

In accordance with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA), all Fly 10 mopeds manufactured between July 1, 2022 and October 31, 2024 have to be recalled resulting from a braking system that fails to fulfill federal security requirements underneath Federal Motor Car Security Requirements (FMVSS) No. 122, the part governing bike brake efficiency.

In federal testing, a Fly 10 touring at 38 mph (61 km/h) required 83.8 ft (25.5 meters) to return to an entire cease – practically 11% worse than required. In moist climate testing, common deceleration was 16% worse than the minimal federal requirement.

NHTSA warned that such non-compliance “might lead to decreased braking efficiency, which might improve stopping distance or result in a lack of automobile management, growing the danger of a crash which will lead to damage.”

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Beneath the phrases of the recall, Fly should exchange brakes or repurchase affected automobiles. Notification letters are anticipated to exit in mid-March.

Streetsblog investigation put Fly underneath the microscope

The recall follows a high-profile investigation by Streetsblog final 12 months that forged doubt on Fly’s security claims and regulatory compliance.

In that investigation, Streetsblog bought a Fly 9 moped – a intently associated mannequin with an identical braking system – and had it independently examined by an impartial third-party automobile testing agency utilized by governments and producers. Regardless of a compliance plate affixed to the automobile stating, “This automobile conforms to all relevant U.S. Federal Motor Car Security Requirements,” the Fly 9 reportedly failed 5 of the FMVSS classes it was examined underneath.

On the time, federal regulators had not independently examined Fly’s automobiles, which is frequent within the US, which is a self-certify nation, not like type-approval in Europe and far of the remainder of the world the place automobiles endure standardized testing earlier than receiving authorities approval on the market. Producers promoting within the US are accountable themselves for making certain their automobiles meet the FMVSS and should label the automobiles as such. The automobiles are often solely examined by federal authorities when suspicions of noncompliance come up. The Fly 10’s latest brake failure in official testing now seems to verify a minimum of one of many security issues raised by the sooner investigation.

Streetsblog’s reporting additionally revealed Fly’s fraudulent claims of UL-certified batteries, a problem that has change into extra prevalent within the business as UL-compliance receives growing demand. Battery security turned a very delicate situation in New York Metropolis after a number of deadly condominium fires linked to lithium battery micromobility units, together with a minimum of one involving a Fly moped.

Mounting authorized and monetary strain

The brake recall is just one of a number of main challenges dealing with Fly E-Bike.

Following Streetsblog’s investigation, the corporate reportedly misplaced a deliberate partnership with the New York Metropolis Division of Transportation. The New York State Division of Motor Autos additionally declined to register sure Fly mopeds final 12 months after questions arose about their compliance with federal security requirements, successfully shutting down their operations for mopeds.

Fly has additionally confronted lawsuits over alleged fraudulent claims about its batteries and a number of securities class motion fits after a dramatic inventory collapse. In August 2025, Fly disclosed a 32% drop in web income and warned of additional declines tied partially to lithium battery incidents. Its inventory reportedly plunged 87% in a single day following that submitting.

A broader wake-up name for high-speed e-mopeds

The Fly recall underscores a bigger situation within the quickly increasing e-moped and high-powered electrical scooter phase.

Many of those automobiles blur the road between electrical bicycles and bikes, which include starkly totally different regulatory necessities. Nonetheless, some producers have marketed them with claims of federal compliance that regulators are actually scrutinizing extra intently. When a automobile able to practically 40 mph fails braking requirements, it turns into a basic security situation.

For regulators, the recall alerts elevated oversight. For producers, it’s a warning that compliance plates and advertising and marketing language have to be backed by precise testing. And for riders – significantly gig staff who rely on these machines – it’s a reminder that efficiency specs imply little if the basics of security aren’t there.

Because the micromobility business matures, the Fly recall might show to be a pivotal second – one which forces higher transparency, stricter compliance, and, hopefully, safer automobiles on metropolis streets.