How NJ's new e-bike laws could impact commuters
All e-bikes must be registered, and some need to be insured.
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It’s a new era of enforcement on e-bikes in New Jersey. All e-bikes must be registered, and some must be insured as of July 19. A law passed in January is now in effect that also prevents children under 15 from operating e-bikes.
It will also impact adults that use e-bikes to commute.
Stephen Dunn, of Cranford, changed up his commute to the firehouse in Elizabeth in 2020.
“I was just so frustrated," Dunn said. "I was only going 5 miles and it took me a half hour to get home by car. I said, ‘I can do this faster on my bike.’”
Dunn became known as "The Biking Fireman" online. When he has extra gear to carry, he trades his standard bike for his e-bike, complete with throttle, that can reach 20 mph.
“It’s kind of convenient, because when I’m under a heavy load, it helps me get going," Dunn said.
These kinds of e-bikes are popular in city settings. Beatriz Bofill uses the throttle on her e-bike to navigate Jersey City.
“When you’re not in protected infrastructure and you’re mixed with cars, it helps to be able to go a little faster," said Bofill, of the nonprofit Bike JC. "It still feels like a bicycle to me. It doesn’t feel like a motorcycle.”
Motorized bicycles - e-bikes with throttles that can run without active pedaling - must be insured under a new law that began July 19. All e-bikes must be registered. No one under 15 can operate an e-bike, and all operators must be licensed. Those without a driver’s license will need to get a special e-bike license.
The bill was signed in former Gov. Phil Murphy’s final days in office but didn’t take effect until this week. Rep. Josh Gottheimer believes it’s about protecting children. The law also requires helmets.
“The age group most commonly affected by e-bike injuries are children between 10-13 years old," said Gottheimer. "Compared to kids on regular bikes or mopeds, children on e-bikes wore helmets less, and were hospitalized at a significantly higher rate.”
Riders say the law might have unintended consequences.
“E-bikes got regulated instead of the e-motos," said Bofill. "Getting those into children’s hands through the internet and false advertising needs to be addressed, and they haven’t.”
“I have to find a specialty insurance, and it would cost me about $300 a year to insure [two e-bikes,]" said Dunn.
Pedal-assisted e-bikes without throttles do not need to be insured. Appointments opened all over the state in June. Violators will face a $50 fine.
