E-bike. Photo By Metro Creative Service
EVESHAM—A newly adopted state law regulating E-bikes—bicycles that come equipped with electric motors and rechargeable batteries—appears to have superseded the need for a local ordinance along similar lines introduced back in November, but then tabled by the Evesham Township Council, which was concerned about its terminology affecting those who need accessibility devices.
The proposed ordinance had been contemplated in response to a complaint by John Volpa, the founder of Black Run Preserve, about the hazards posed by these relatively new but increasingly popular types of vehicles to hikers on the preserve’s trails, as well as to their often-youthful operators.
The new law took effect Jan. 19, but won’t be enforced until July 19, following a six-month grace period, with a one-year waiver of registration and licensing fees lasting until next Jan. 19.
It was described by Evesham Police Chief Thomas Reinholt at the Jan. 21 township council meeting as bringing about “monumental change” by “basically treating E-bikes like mopeds at this point for licensing, for registration, for insurance.”
“Our goal now at this point is to educate the public, and educate parents, and educate the juveniles on what this law means now and what they are going to have to do as a result of it,” Reinholt asserted. “So, we are working closely with the school districts to get that message out through our social media and through other means.”
The legislation, which was signed into law just prior to Phil Murphy leaving office as the governor, “expands the types of bicycles that are regulated as motorized bicycles to cover all forms of e-bikes and extends the classification of motorized bicycles to include pedal bicycles with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that can provide assistance when the rider is pedaling or to exclusively propel the bicycle,” according to a press release sent out by Murphy’s office.
The new requirements for owners and operators of such conveyances, the release noted, “would include obtaining motorized bicycle licenses, registration and insurance.” They would also require an owner and operator to be at least 17 years old with a valid driver’s license or at least 15 years old with a motorized bicycle license.
“In addition, the legislation provides that motor vehicles must use due caution when approaching E-bikes on the road – slowing down, leaving a safe distance, or changing lanes when passing,” it was noted.
The new law passed by 27-11 in the state Senate and 53-10 in the Assembly, and was characterized by state Senate President Nick Scutari, who initiated it, as an important safety measure at a time when the popularity of E-bikes “with young people, coupled with their inexperience as operators, puts them at greater risk.”
“We are in a new era of E-bike use that requires updated safety standards to help prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities,” Scutari maintained. “Requiring registration and licensing will improve their safe use and having them insured will protect those injured in accidents.”
But the legislation has been vociferously opposed by biking advocacy organizations, such as Peopleforbikes.org, which claims it has “set up New Jersey to become the most unfriendly state for bicycling in the country.”
