Electric Bicycles In Point Pleasant Beach Draw Questions, Complaints

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — A growing number of electric bicycles and electric scooters in use on the streets of Point Pleasant Beach has generated complaints and, in response, comments from the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.

In a post on the department's Facebook page on Monday, police explained how the electric bicycles are classified and explained how traffic laws apply to those using the electric bikes.

"We have received several questions and a few complaints in regards to E-Bikes and E-Scooters. Here is some information that may be of use:" police wrote.

Electric bicycles are broken into two low-speed classifications. Class 1 bicycles these bikes are equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops when the bike reaches 20 mph.

Class 2 bicycles are equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bike with a throttle-actuated motor that stops when the bike reaches 20 mph.

Low-speed electric bicycle riders are subject to the same traffic laws as those riding regular bicycles.

Some of these laws are:

• Anyone under the age of 17 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or being towed by a bicycle (such as a child in a bicycle trailer) (39:4-10.1)
• Bicycles must be equipped with bells or other audible devices, but not sirens or whistles (39:4-11)
• Like motorist, bicyclists must keep to the right and ride in a single file line when on the road (39:3-10.11)
• Bicycles must be equipped with brakes that make their wheels skid when braking on dry, clean pavement (39:4-11.1)
• Bicycles must have a front headlamp with white lamp and rear reflectors color red. (39:4-10)

"We hope some of this is information helps! Our officers will be out there to assist and if appropriate, enforcing bicycle regulations," the post said.