New Jersey Expands Licensing and Insurance Requirements to Include All E-Bikes

In a significant move before leaving office, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy enacted legislation aimed at enhancing the regulation of motorized bicycles, now encompassing all classes of electric bikes.

The new measure, S4834/A6235, revises the classification, regulation, licensing, insurance, and training requirements for e-bikes. Notably, it now categorizes all e-bikes as motorized bicycles, including lower-speed models that were previously exempt from regulations.

The law specifies regulations for e-bikes equipped with pedals and an electric motor (Class 1), which can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour, and e-bikes with throttles (Class 2), which can go up to 20 miles per hour. Existing state law mandates that owners of e-bikes capable of exceeding 20 mph and up to 28 mph (Class 3) and mopeds must be licensed, registered, and insured. This new legislation effectively consolidates classifications and broadens the definition of motorized bicycles.

According to the bill, individuals must be at least 17 years old and possess a valid basic driver’s license issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to operate a motorized bicycle. Those under 17 can operate a motorized bicycle if they are at least 15 years old and hold a valid motorized bicycle license.

Furthermore, the legislation allows a six-month period following its effective date for individuals to register, insure, and obtain a license for motorized bicycles that were not classified as such prior to the bill’s enactment.

Senate President Nick Scutari, who authored the bill, cited several tragic incidents involving e-bike riders, including the deaths of a 13-year-old, a 22-year-old, and two teenagers, as catalysts for these changes. “The dramatic increase in the use of e-bikes has created greater dangers for their operators, other motorists, and pedestrians,” Scutari stated. “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.”

However, some critics argue against the expansion of registration and other requirements for low-speed e-bikes. The New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition contends that the state should be promoting e-bikes as a safe and affordable transportation option, rather than imposing new regulations that could restrict access for those often involved in accidents, without addressing the root causes of road safety issues.

“Requiring registration and insurance will not meaningfully address roadway fatalities. By focusing on low-speed e-bikes, this bill distracts from the number-one source of over 500 fatalities and 3,000 serious-injury crashes annually in our state: motor vehicles,” the coalition argues. They also point out that since 2019, the state has not enforced its requirement for high-speed devices to be licensed, registered, and insured, urging a focus on enforcement rather than additional regulations.

Operators of motorized bicycles will need to carry liability and personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, with coverage levels matching those of standard auto insurance, including a minimum of $5,000 for property damage.

Shortly after the bill’s signing, a specialty insurance provider began promoting insurance options for New Jersey e-bike operators. Florida-based Velosurance offers e-bike liability coverage that aligns with the law’s intent, providing protection for bodily injury and property damage claims resulting from at-fault incidents.

New Jersey boasts one of the highest rates of bicycle ownership in the nation, with over 4,000 miles of trails, making it a vital market where cycling, e-bikes, and mixed-use infrastructure increasingly intersect. Velosurance policies are available directly to consumers online and through local bike shops.

Topics
New Jersey

In a significant move before leaving office, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy enacted legislation aimed at enhancing the regulation of motorized bicycles, now encompassing all classes of electric bikes.

The new measure, S4834/A6235, revises the classification, regulation, licensing, insurance, and training requirements for e-bikes. Notably, it now categorizes all e-bikes as motorized bicycles, including lower-speed models that were previously exempt from regulations.

The law specifies regulations for e-bikes equipped with pedals and an electric motor (Class 1), which can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour, and e-bikes with throttles (Class 2), which can go up to 20 miles per hour. Existing state law mandates that owners of e-bikes capable of exceeding 20 mph and up to 28 mph (Class 3) and mopeds must be licensed, registered, and insured. This new legislation effectively consolidates classifications and broadens the definition of motorized bicycles.

According to the bill, individuals must be at least 17 years old and possess a valid basic driver’s license issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to operate a motorized bicycle. Those under 17 can operate a motorized bicycle if they are at least 15 years old and hold a valid motorized bicycle license.

Furthermore, the legislation allows a six-month period following its effective date for individuals to register, insure, and obtain a license for motorized bicycles that were not classified as such prior to the bill’s enactment.

Senate President Nick Scutari, who authored the bill, cited several tragic incidents involving e-bike riders, including the deaths of a 13-year-old, a 22-year-old, and two teenagers, as catalysts for these changes. “The dramatic increase in the use of e-bikes has created greater dangers for their operators, other motorists, and pedestrians,” Scutari stated. “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.”

However, some critics argue against the expansion of registration and other requirements for low-speed e-bikes. The New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition contends that the state should be promoting e-bikes as a safe and affordable transportation option, rather than imposing new regulations that could restrict access for those often involved in accidents, without addressing the root causes of road safety issues.

“Requiring registration and insurance will not meaningfully address roadway fatalities. By focusing on low-speed e-bikes, this bill distracts from the number-one source of over 500 fatalities and 3,000 serious-injury crashes annually in our state: motor vehicles,” the coalition argues. They also point out that since 2019, the state has not enforced its requirement for high-speed devices to be licensed, registered, and insured, urging a focus on enforcement rather than additional regulations.

Operators of motorized bicycles will need to carry liability and personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, with coverage levels matching those of standard auto insurance, including a minimum of $5,000 for property damage.

Shortly after the bill’s signing, a specialty insurance provider began promoting insurance options for New Jersey e-bike operators. Florida-based Velosurance offers e-bike liability coverage that aligns with the law’s intent, providing protection for bodily injury and property damage claims resulting from at-fault incidents.

New Jersey boasts one of the highest rates of bicycle ownership in the nation, with over 4,000 miles of trails, making it a vital market where cycling, e-bikes, and mixed-use infrastructure increasingly intersect. Velosurance policies are available directly to consumers online and through local bike shops.

Topics
New Jersey