LINDENWOLD, NJ — Two deadly New Jersey crashes involving electronic vehicles over the last few days are reminding travelers to take proper precautions as the state continues to navigate its first few weeks after a new regulation law went into effect.
On Saturday in Franklin Township, a man driving an electronic motorcycle was killed in a collision with a car making a left turn nearby.
Later that day, an electronic bike (e-bike) rider was killed in Lindenwold by a 65-year-old driver who was intoxicated, authorities said, at the time of the crash.
While a crash involving a driver who was said to be impaired and another with a vehicle that ultimately didn't meet the definition of a low-speed e-bike may be adjacent to the standard safety concerns of normal operations, they still serve as a stark reminder of the increased need for road awareness as technology develops.
The trend of these machine-powered, or partially-machine-powered, devices being linked to tragedies, however, is hardly a new phenomenon.
Across the United States, e-bike injuries jumped 293 percent from 2019 to 2022, with hospitals treating more than 53,000 patients over the last nine years, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Children between the ages of 10 and 13 are the most commonly affected by e-bike injuries, the NIH added, with hospitalizations at higher rates than children on standard bikes and mopeds.
One of the reasons, the agency points out, is that the age group as a whole tends to wear helmets less often than others.
Among the new regulations outlined by the law that went into effect on July 19, not only can children under 15 not operate e-bikes or e-scooters, but everyone who does must wear a helmet.
"If used properly, e-bikes can be a safe, fun, and effective way to get around. But, just like driving a car, we need to make sure people, especially younger riders, are taking the right precautions," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-05).
While statistics regarding crashes involving e-bikes and scooters over the last few weeks have not been publicly released, law enforcement agencies across the state continue to share social media campaigns underscoring the new guidelines.
"Staying informed helps keep you, your passengers, and everyone on the road safe," the Evesham Township Police Department wrote in a message to the community on August 13.
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