E-Bike Safety Law Starts July 19 In NJ

Summer hasn't even officially begun for many New Jersey school districts, and two teenagers were already killed this June in e-bike crashes:

Chase Sudano, 16, a high school wrestling star, was killed June 16 when the e-bike he was driving collided with a UPS truck. He lived in Southampton Township in Burlington County and was just ending his sophomore year at St. Augustine High School.

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In Middletown, Gustavo Rocha, 15, crashed into the back of a car while on his e-bike June 10. Although he was wearing a helmet, he was critically injured. He died of his injuries three days after the crash, last Saturday, June 13.

In light of all the deaths of teenagers on e-bikes, New Jersey passed a new statewide e-bike and e-scooter safety law, which goes into effect on July 19.

Police departments across the state are trying to get the word out about the new law. New Jersey's new e-bike law is one of the strictest in the nation for e-bikes/e-scooters.

First, the law defines e-bikes as two-wheeled vehicles with pedals, a pedal-assist motor and a top speed not exceeding 20 mph. E-scooters are defined as two-wheeled, standing-platform vehicles powered by an electric motor with a top speed not exceeding 19 mph.

If your e-bike or e-scooter goes under 20/19 mph, it is exempt from the new law. But if it goes faster:

Under the new law, all e-bikes must be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) before July 19.

Anyone riding an e-bike or e-scooter must carry valid insurance and possess either a driver’s license or a permit. Riders under 15 years of age are prohibited from operating e-bikes and e-scooters entirely. Those between the ages of 15 and 16 must hold a valid permit, while riders 17 and older must have a driver’s license. Helmets must be worn.

Learn about the new law here: nj.gov/mvc/vehicletopics/ebike.htm

Here is a summary of the new law:

Starting July 19, all e-bike/e-scooter riders must now have a valid license: Age 17+ (a drivers’ license) or Age 15 & 16 (a motorized bicycle license)

Children under 15 are prohibited from operating e-bikes.

All e-bikes must be registered with the NJ MVC.

All e-bike riders must now have liability insurance coverage.

Online e-bike sales are banned statewide for one year.

Modification kits to increase bike speed are now illegal.

(Note: License and registration fees are waived for the first year as residents get use to the new law.)

Also, the sale of e-bike modification kits is now prohibited statewide. Additionally, for a period of one year, New Jersey bans the online sale of motorized e-bikes.

Perth Amboy Police Chief Larry Cattano noted the recent e-bike crash of a 25-year-old who was speeding on the sidewalk and then hit a car.

He noted that city police are also confiscating illegal e-bikes, which are produced with mismatched parts and are dangerous to operate. To date, police have confiscated more than 100 of these e-bikes and dirt bikes for disposal.

“Some of these illegal e-bikes can go up to 50 mph,” the police chief said. “Anything over 20 mph has to be registered and insured.”