New E-Bike Rules: What That Means In Mendham

MENDHAM, NJ — In his last act as governor, Phil Murphy signed more than 120 bills into law on Tuesday morning, hours before Governor Mikie Sherrill took office.

Among the slew of laws were updated regulations on the use of electric bikes, or e-bikes, in the Garden State. It's the first update to e-bike regulations in six years.

The Mendham Township Police Department has issued an update on exactly what these regulations will entail for local riders.

Now, all e-bikes are classified as motorized vehicles, and licenses will be required to ride them.

The minimum age to operate an e-bike in New Jersey is 15, and an e-bike license will be required for riders. Anyone 17 and older can operate an e-bike with a standard driver’s license under the new regulations.

Additionally, all e-bikes will require registration and insurance from now on. Popular e-bike insurers include Velosurance and BikeInsure, which offer theft/damage policies. Other major insurance companies, like GEICO, provide e-bike liability coverage.

Riders can expect a grace period of six months to attain the required registration, insurance, and licensing. Violators can be subject to fines, suspension, and other penalties.

“While these changes may seem drastic, this was passed in an abundance of caution for the safety of everyone on the road,” a Mendham Township police statement read. “The main objective for us right now will be education of these new laws and making sure everyone, parents and riders, are aware of the new requirements.”

The bill, signed into law on Monday, comes on the heels of several crashes involving e-bikes, including fatal ones in Scotch Plains and Orange.

“It is clear that we are in an age of increasing e-bike use that requires us to take action and update regulations that help prevent tragedies from occurring,” said Murphy. “Making our roads safer for all users has been a key priority for my Administration.”