New Jersey's New E-bike Law

[GirishH]

Just wanted to check with New Jersey cyclists about your reaction to the state requiring license for e-bikes..

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/nj-gov-murphy-signs-law-requiring-license-e-bikes/4335574/%3famp=1

My view is this is going to be hard to implement especially as newer ebieks get more and more slimmer or harder to differentiate from non-E-bikes...

[rydabent]

Another way for tax and spent B'crats to milk money from the public.

What happens when a touring cyclist rides thru the state????

[Jesper]

@GirishH
I do not even need to access that libk to make an educated guess about why that requirement is being enacted. I certainly will not make a vapid political comment about it.

I assume this is in regards to increased amounts property damage, personal injury, and unfortunately death.
I see it every day with increasing glut of ebikes populating the streets of the cities I frequent. The blatant and dangerous acts of ignoring safety devices (traffic lights, stop and yield signs, etc.) combined with lack of operating knowledge and experience; as well as the disregard for the rights of other's safety has made it where something that could be quite useful and economical for many peoples use is now burdened with legal requirements in order to make victims whole and establish accountability for those who do not care or are unaware of the costs that someone encounters as a victim.

Ebikes are generally easy to identify since the majority of thosr riding them are going faster than average non-motorized cyclists, are not pedalling or are pedalling far too slow for their given speed. Giving ebikes to children is like gifting them with a battery operated chainsaw; soonervor later there will be a major injury or death. The majority of ebike owners use them as tools, not as recreational devices on dedicated trails. Even an adult operating a chainsaw in a crowd will eventually cause injuries and many adults cannot even ride a bike properly, but nowcwe are going to let them use something that doubles the risks.

If they require a license then I assume there will be testing like a driver's test. In Florida the base speed jumped from 20mph to 28mph before you must be licensed and the bike must be registered (not sure if they need to take a test or not). Florida is a fairly screwed up State where you can ridecm a motorcycle without any insurance, but basic insurance is mandatory for a car. Plus, you can ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but not wearing a seatbelt is a fineable violation (note: you need basic insurance to go helmetless on a motorcycle, but police do not pull over bikers to verify if you have; they do pull over cars if seen not wesring a seatbelt).
An issue I been told about by the owners of ebikes is the modications done to increase their maximum speed above the ebike's rated speed. Now the braking and handlingvare compromised due to the ebike design never having been meant to travel at those higher speeds. Combine that with poor driving skills and it just becomes that much more dangerous.

I have no problem with the regulation of ebike use since it benefits me as a driver, a cyclist, a pedestrian, etc. if I am a victim in an accident.

The excuse of ignorance of the law is of course childish and shows one's lack of responsibility. If you are travelling from town to town, State to State, or country to country it is YOUR respinsibility to be familiar with the laws that apply to you. It does not matter if you are walking (e.g. jaywalking laws), cycling, ebiking, driving, carrying certain drugs, carrying weapons, etc. you still are required to know and follow the laws applicable to where youal are and where you are going. In Massachusetts their firearm laws are very strict and you may have to get a temporary gun license just to travel through the State. It may be that the new law alllows out of state ebikers limited time to traverse the State or a temporary license may be needed. People travel all over the place breaking local lwas and seem surprised when they get busted for something and wonder why. Hilarious! I have seen folks get arrested in other States and countries for something that is legal where they live. Too bad; learn the laws or do not complain when you get caught breaking then. Reminds me of an old Star Trek episode where the ignorant crew visited a planet without researching the laws and their penalties and one idiot is sentenced to death for essentially walking on the grass (death was the penalty for every violation, thus none of the inhabitants broke any law!).

[GirishH]

@Jesper, personally, I feel like a few bad apples spoil the entire basket. I hold a similar view about some “new” cyclists during warmer months, when anyone and everyone comes out to ride. It’s great to see more people on bikes, but basics matter—how to pass, obeying traffic rules, and not riding on sidewalks. Otherwise, it gives all cyclists a bad name, and we end up bearing the brunt of motorists’ ire.

I was initially opposed to e-bikes because of how dangerous they can be—their speed and lack of regulation were real concerns.

That said, I’m still not sure how this law will actually be enforced or regulated properly.

[Jesper]

I rode a moped when I was in high school. It went much faster than most ebikes (~35+ mph), though it was slow going uphill and downhill.
There was no license or registration required as long as it had pedals (which I often used when going uphill). I wonder if that State has/had the same requirements for mopeds.

[rydabent]

(01-30-2026, 03:24 PM)Jesper Wrote:  @GirishH
I do not even need to access that libk to make an educated guess about why that requirement is being enacted. I certainly will not make a vapid political comment about it.

I assume this is in regards to increased amounts property damage, personal injury, and unfortunately death.
I see it every day with increasing glut of ebikes populating the streets of the cities I frequent. The blatant and dangerous acts of ignoring safety devices (traffic lights, stop and yield signs, etc.) combined with lack of operating knowledge and experience; as well as the disregard for the rights of other's safety has made it where something that could be quite useful and economical for many peoples use is now burdened with legal requirements in order to make victims whole and establish accountability for those who do not care or are unaware of the costs that someone encounters as a victim.

Ebikes are generally easy to identify since the majority of thosr riding them are going faster than average non-motorized cyclists, are not pedalling or are pedalling far too slow for their given speed. Giving ebikes to children is like gifting them with a battery operated chainsaw; soonervor later there will be a major injury or death. The majority of ebike owners use them as tools, not as recreational devices on dedicated trails. Even an adult operating a chainsaw in a crowd will eventually cause injuries and many adults cannot even ride a bike properly, but nowcwe are going to let them use something that doubles the risks.

If they require a license then I assume there will be testing like a driver's test. In Florida the base speed jumped from 20mph to 28mph before you must be licensed and the bike must be registered (not sure if they need to take a test or not). Florida is a fairly screwed up State where you can ridecm a motorcycle without any insurance, but basic insurance is mandatory for a car. Plus, you can ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but not wearing a seatbelt is a fineable violation (note: you need basic insurance to go helmetless on a motorcycle, but police do not pull over bikers to verify if you have; they do pull over cars if seen not wesring a seatbelt).
An issue I been told about by the owners of ebikes is the modications done to increase their maximum speed above the ebike's rated speed. Now the braking and handlingvare compromised due to the ebike design never having been meant to travel at those higher speeds. Combine that with poor driving skills and it just becomes that much more dangerous.

I have no problem with the regulation of ebike use since it benefits me as a driver, a cyclist, a pedestrian, etc. if I am a victim in an accident.

The excuse of ignorance of the law is of course childish and shows one's lack of responsibility. If you are travelling from town to town, State to State, or country to country it is YOUR respinsibility to be familiar with the laws that apply to you. It does not matter if you are walking (e.g. jaywalking laws), cycling, ebiking, driving, carrying certain drugs, carrying weapons, etc. you still are required to know and follow the laws applicable to where youal are and where you are going. In Massachusetts their firearm laws are very strict and you may have to get a temporary gun license just to travel through the State. It may be that the new law alllows out of state ebikers limited time to traverse the State or a temporary license may be needed. People travel all over the place breaking local lwas and seem surprised when they get busted for something and wonder why. Hilarious! I have seen folks get arrested in other States and countries for something that is legal where they live. Too bad; learn the laws or do not complain when you get caught breaking then. Reminds me of an old Star Trek episode where the ignorant crew visited a planet without researching the laws and their penalties and one idiot is sentenced to death for essentially walking on the grass (death was the penalty for every violation, thus none of the inhabitants broke any law!).

Paying money to ride your bike is totally stupid.

[Flowrider]

I reckon, as Girish says, that when all is said and done, the minority bringing it to the authority's attention has a major impact on the majority. But then if they follow the new rule, they have nothing to worry about.
Just do what you have to do and move on. Resistance to what is, is pointless.
Focus on what is in your control

[Sidewinder]

Ebikes are hugely popular here, but I think a few "ebike outlaws" are ruining the scene for everyone else... see enough wrecks involving these ebikes, and legislation is bound to follow. There's also the matter of "revenue collection"---can't discount that as a factor in ANY legislation. However, as with mopeds eventually getting into enough wrecks on the road, the ebike legislation is bound to follow any spike in wrecks. There are legitimate safety concerns with the operation of these ebikes, especially when ebike outlaws disregard all rules & regs... like one hand already observed, a few bad apples ruin the scene for everyone else.

Having said that, I have absolutely ZERO desire to ride an ebike in New Jersey traffic... sounds like a death wish, lol. Better to ride it on some trail in the mountains or high desert, a trail with NO other people on it, yeah? Except maybe a few friends, of course... folks who know how to ride.

[Jesper]

(02-02-2026, 11:29 AM)rydabent Wrote:  

(01-30-2026, 03:24 PM)Jesper Wrote:  @GirishH
I do not even need to access that libk to make an educated guess about why that requirement is being enacted. I certainly will not make a vapid political comment about it.

I assume this is in regards to increased amounts property damage, personal injury, and unfortunately death.
I see it every day with increasing glut of ebikes populating the streets of the cities I frequent. The blatant and dangerous acts of ignoring safety devices (traffic lights, stop and yield signs, etc.) combined with lack of operating knowledge and experience; as well as the disregard for the rights of other's safety has made it where something that could be quite useful and economical for many peoples use is now burdened with legal requirements in order to make victims whole and establish accountability for those who do not care or are unaware of the costs that someone encounters as a victim.

Ebikes are generally easy to identify since the majority of thosr riding them are going faster than average non-motorized cyclists, are not pedalling or are pedalling far too slow for their given speed. Giving ebikes to children is like gifting them with a battery operated chainsaw; soonervor later there will be a major injury or death. The majority of ebike owners use them as tools, not as recreational devices on dedicated trails. Even an adult operating a chainsaw in a crowd will eventually cause injuries and many adults cannot even ride a bike properly, but nowcwe are going to let them use something that doubles the risks.

If they require a license then I assume there will be testing like a driver's test. In Florida the base speed jumped from 20mph to 28mph before you must be licensed and the bike must be registered (not sure if they need to take a test or not). Florida is a fairly screwed up State where you can ridecm a motorcycle without any insurance, but basic insurance is mandatory for a car. Plus, you can ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but not wearing a seatbelt is a fineable violation (note: you need basic insurance to go helmetless on a motorcycle, but police do not pull over bikers to verify if you have; they do pull over cars if seen not wesring a seatbelt).
An issue I been told about by the owners of ebikes is the modications done to increase their maximum speed above the ebike's rated speed. Now the braking and handlingvare compromised due to the ebike design never having been meant to travel at those higher speeds. Combine that with poor driving skills and it just becomes that much more dangerous.

I have no problem with the regulation of ebike use since it benefits me as a driver, a cyclist, a pedestrian, etc. if I am a victim in an accident.

The excuse of ignorance of the law is of course childish and shows one's lack of responsibility. If you are travelling from town to town, State to State, or country to country it is YOUR respinsibility to be familiar with the laws that apply to you. It does not matter if you are walking (e.g. jaywalking laws), cycling, ebiking, driving, carrying certain drugs, carrying weapons, etc. you still are required to know and follow the laws applicable to where youal are and where you are going. In Massachusetts their firearm laws are very strict and you may have to get a temporary gun license just to travel through the State. It may be that the new law alllows out of state ebikers limited time to traverse the State or a temporary license may be needed. People travel all over the place breaking local lwas and seem surprised when they get busted for something and wonder why. Hilarious! I have seen folks get arrested in other States and countries for something that is legal where they live. Too bad; learn the laws or do not complain when you get caught breaking then. Reminds me of an old Star Trek episode where the ignorant crew visited a planet without researching the laws and their penalties and one idiot is sentenced to death for essentially walking on the grass (death was the penalty for every violation, thus none of the inhabitants broke any law!).

Paying money to ride you bike is totally stupid.

So paying money to ride a motorcycle or drive a car must also be stupid in your eyes.
Everyone is already paying to ride and drive whether they realize it or not, and even if they never use a roadway at all. It is called taxes. Well now, isn't that "totally stupid"? I guess you are one of the smart ones who are able to utilize the roadways without paying taxes (e.g. State sales tax, etc.) while the rest of us, as you state, are "totally stupid". Thank you for insulting those of us supporting your cost free use of the public roadways with our hard earned money! Of course, if you do in fact pay taxes you get to join the "totally stupid" crowd; so welcome to the "totally stupid" club! (And thank you for providing to me another thread to ignore with your vapid comments).

[rydabent]

(02-06-2026, 01:13 PM)Jesper Wrote:  

(02-02-2026, 11:29 AM)rydabent Wrote:  

(01-30-2026, 03:24 PM)Jesper Wrote:  @GirishH
I do not even need to access that libk to make an educated guess about why that requirement is being enacted. I certainly will not make a vapid political comment about it.

I assume this is in regards to increased amounts property damage, personal injury, and unfortunately death.
I see it every day with increasing glut of ebikes populating the streets of the cities I frequent. The blatant and dangerous acts of ignoring safety devices (traffic lights, stop and yield signs, etc.) combined with lack of operating knowledge and experience; as well as the disregard for the rights of other's safety has made it where something that could be quite useful and economical for many peoples use is now burdened with legal requirements in order to make victims whole and establish accountability for those who do not care or are unaware of the costs that someone encounters as a victim.

Ebikes are generally easy to identify since the majority of thosr riding them are going faster than average non-motorized cyclists, are not pedalling or are pedalling far too slow for their given speed. Giving ebikes to children is like gifting them with a battery operated chainsaw; soonervor later there will be a major injury or death. The majority of ebike owners use them as tools, not as recreational devices on dedicated trails. Even an adult operating a chainsaw in a crowd will eventually cause injuries and many adults cannot even ride a bike properly, but nowcwe are going to let them use something that doubles the risks.

If they require a license then I assume there will be testing like a driver's test. In Florida the base speed jumped from 20mph to 28mph before you must be licensed and the bike must be registered (not sure if they need to take a test or not). Florida is a fairly screwed up State where you can ridecm a motorcycle without any insurance, but basic insurance is mandatory for a car. Plus, you can ride a motorcycle without a helmet, but not wearing a seatbelt is a fineable violation (note: you need basic insurance to go helmetless on a motorcycle, but police do not pull over bikers to verify if you have; they do pull over cars if seen not wesring a seatbelt).
An issue I been told about by the owners of ebikes is the modications done to increase their maximum speed above the ebike's rated speed. Now the braking and handlingvare compromised due to the ebike design never having been meant to travel at those higher speeds. Combine that with poor driving skills and it just becomes that much more dangerous.

I have no problem with the regulation of ebike use since it benefits me as a driver, a cyclist, a pedestrian, etc. if I am a victim in an accident.

The excuse of ignorance of the law is of course childish and shows one's lack of responsibility. If you are travelling from town to town, State to State, or country to country it is YOUR respinsibility to be familiar with the laws that apply to you. It does not matter if you are walking (e.g. jaywalking laws), cycling, ebiking, driving, carrying certain drugs, carrying weapons, etc. you still are required to know and follow the laws applicable to where youal are and where you are going. In Massachusetts their firearm laws are very strict and you may have to get a temporary gun license just to travel through the State. It may be that the new law alllows out of state ebikers limited time to traverse the State or a temporary license may be needed. People travel all over the place breaking local lwas and seem surprised when they get busted for something and wonder why. Hilarious! I have seen folks get arrested in other States and countries for something that is legal where they live. Too bad; learn the laws or do not complain when you get caught breaking then. Reminds me of an old Star Trek episode where the ignorant crew visited a planet without researching the laws and their penalties and one idiot is sentenced to death for essentially walking on the grass (death was the penalty for every violation, thus none of the inhabitants broke any law!).

Paying money to ride you bike is totally stupid.

So paying money to ride a motorcycle or drive a car must also be stupid in your eyes.
Everyone is already paying to ride and drive whether they realize it or not, and even if they never use a roadway at all. It is called taxes. Well now, isn't that "totally stupid"? I guess you are one of the smart ones who are able to utilize the roadways without paying taxes (e.g. State sales tax, etc.) while the rest of us, as you state, are "totally stupid". Thank you for insulting those of us supporting your cost free use of the public roadways with our hard earned money! Of course, if you do in fact pay taxes you get to join the "totally stupid" crowd; so welcome to the "totally stupid" club! (And thank you fot providing to me another thread to ignore with your vapid comments).

It is stupid because it of course would include little Susie and her sidewalk bike. Also people that ride only occasionally.

Again it is just a money stream for greedy B'crats, that want every dime they can lay their hands on.

[rydabent]

Again, as I commented earlier, what happens if the police stop a touring cyclist from out state, that is riding thru NJ!!!!

[GirishH]

As both a cyclist and a motorist, I do believe in following the law and having some level of accountability. In Boston, I’ve often heard motorists complain about cyclists breaking rearview mirrors or causing other damage. Similarly, the police have complained that they couldn’t ticket cyclists who ran red lights. One could argue how much damage a cyclist can really cause, but during busy commute hours I’ve personally seen cyclists squeezing through the left and right of stalled traffic, or even riding on sidewalks.

Because of this, I sometimes agree with laws that try to introduce accountability for cyclists. That said, it’s usually a small number of cyclists—or e-bikers—who cause these issues, yet laws end up affecting everyone.

Just last week, there was a proposal to register bicycles in New Hampshire—the “Live Free or Die” state. Again, I can see where the impetus for such ideas comes from.

I’ve also been berated by motorists for riding on the road. One driver was upset that I was using the road at all, and I had to remind him that I, too, pay taxes and can responsibly use this public resource.

My take on these laws, including the NH proposal, is essentially the same: we need to remember that we are not just cyclists, but also motorists and pedestrians.

Take my friend in the Boston police force, for example. He used to stop cyclists and try to ticket them. Unfortunately, he couldnt ticket these cyclists because many didnot "carry" any document on them.

He's also a cyclist and that's how we met. Later, he himself got into an accident with a car and, after surgery and recovery, now rides an e-bike. He’s a cop, a cyclist, an e-cyclist, and an athlete—all at once. So, I never doubted his intentions when he tried to ticket fellow cyclists.

That’s why I have mixed feelings about this and similar legislation.

At the end of the day, if I cause damage to other cyclists or to property, I should—and will—be held accountable.