SCOTCH PLAINS – Senate President Nick Scutari today announced a legislative initiative to improve the safe use of electric bikes in New Jersey, with a plan that would update the regulation, licensing, classification and training requirements for e-bikes.

“The dramatic increase in the use of e-bikes has created greater dangers for their operators, other motorists and pedestrians,” said Senator Scutari. “They are faster, more powerful and far more prevalent. We are in a new era of e-bike use that requires updated safety standards to help prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities.”

The last time e-bike laws were updated was six years ago.

Senator Scutari’s proposal comes in the wake of numerous accidents involving electric bikes. Two e-bike operators were killed in separate accidents in Scotch Plains and Orange. Other accidents have occurred in the state recently, including one in Montvale and another in Westfield.

Joining Senator Scutari at the news were Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Scotch Plains Mayor Joshua G. Losardo.

“As a mother of five, the recent e-bike tragedies — especially the heartbreaking loss of a 13-year-old in Scotch Plains — strike very close to home,” said Commissioner Palmieri-Mouded. “Our children deserve streets, parks, and neighborhoods where families can feel at ease. I’m grateful to Senate President Scutari for taking a leadership role in addressing this urgent issue and for working to put forward common-sense protections that put safety first. No family should ever have to endure this kind of loss again.”

“We have seen numerous tragedies involving e-bikes in our communities,” said Mayor Losardo. “Their popularity with young people, their inexperience as operators and their exposure on a two-wheel vehicle puts them at greater risk. We need new safeguards to help protect them and others.”

Nationally, e-bike injuries rose by 293 percent from 2019-2022, according to federal data. An estimated 44 percent of the injuries were suffered by young people.

Senator Scutari’s legislation would:

·    Create a Class 4 category that covers anything that goes over 28 mph or over 750 watts, and reclassify Class 1 electric bicycles to include throttle assisted with a maximum speed of 18 mph.

·    Require the MVC to create an electric bicycle registration and sticker system for class 2, class 3, and class 4 electric bicycles.

·    Prohibit minors under the age of 17 to operate any e-bike not classified as a class 1 low speed electric bicycle unless licensed under the NJ MVC Moped License provisions.

·    Require class 2, class 3, and class 4 low speed/high speed electric bicycles to have insurance and registration through the MVC.

·    Require the MVC to incorporate e-bikes into the licensure and statute for moped licenses. To operate a class 2, 3, or 4 e-bike, one must possess a moped/e-bike license administered by MVC.

·    Require anyone using a class 2, 3, or 4 electric bicycle to be licensed under the moped license provisions.

·    Collect more data about e-bike accidents.

For the first year after the enactment of the legislation, the Motor Vehicle Commission will waive all licensure, registration, and examination fees.

Also joining in support of Senator Scutari’s initiative were Assemblywoman Linda Carter, Assemblyman Jim Kennedy, Union County Manager Ed Oatman, Fanwood Council President Trish Walsh, Lt. Dan Kranz and Scotch Plains Police Chief Jeff Briel.