TRENTON – Legislation authored by Senate President Nick Scutari that would improve the safe use of electric bikes was approved by a Senate committee today. The bill, S-4834, would update the regulation, licensing and classification requirements for e-bikes in New Jersey.

“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. Requiring registration and licensing will improve their safe use and having them insured will protect those injured in accidents.”

The legislation would expand the types of bicycles that are regulated as “motorized bicycles” to cover all forms of electric bicycles. It would extend the classification of motorized bicycles to include pedal bicycles with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that can provide assistance when the rider is pedaling or to exclusively propel the bicycle.

The new requirements for owners and operators of electrical bicycles would include obtaining motorized bicycle licenses, registration and insurance.

The measure would also require a person to be 17 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license or be at least 15 years of age with a motorized bicycle license.

As an additional safety measure, motor vehicles would have to use “due caution” when approaching e-bikes on the road, slowing down, leaving a safe distance or changing lanes when passing.

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 in New Jersey and nationally. 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.

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.

“Their popularity with young people, their inexperience as operators and their exposure on a two-wheel vehicle puts them at greater risk,” said Senator Scutari. “We need new safeguards that respond to the explosive growth among young people to protect them and others.”

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

The bill, approved by the Senate Budget Committee, would also require the reporting of all e-bike accidents to the Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.