Following the death of a 14-year-old boy from Egg Harbor Township that resulted from a collision with a vehicle in Somers Point in July, three local politicians are calling for the strengthening of safety requirements for e-bikes.
Senator Vince Polistina, Assemblyman Don Guardian and Assemblywoman Claire Swift (R-Atlantic) are currently working on forming legislation that would require training courses for e-bike riders.
“After some initial research, it was clear that New Jersey does not offer proper safety instruction for these young riders,” Polistina said in a July 29 press release. “In working with the Office of Legislative Services, we are drafting a bill to create an operator’s safety course for Class I and Class II e-bike operators.”
Class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assist only, meaning the motor activates only while the rider is pedaling and provides support up to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes offer the same pedal-assist up to 20 mph but also include a throttle, allowing the motor to run and provide assistance even when the rider is not pedaling.
Although seen as a cheaper alternative to cars, Guardian said that e-bikes are far more dangerous than a manually pedaled bike and should be regulated more like scooters and mopeds.
“These e-bikes have the ability to carry a rider up to 20 mph, nearly twice the average speed of a traditional bike,” he said in the press release. “As the speed increases, so does the need for knowledge about how to safely operate an e-bike.”
According to the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center, “riders must comply with all the laws that apply to vehicles, such as obeying traffic signals and following the direction of traffic. Like bicycles, e-bikes are allowed to park on sidewalks, as long as they do not block pedestrian access.”
State law requires helmets for riders under the age of 17.
E-bikes were previously classified as motorized bicycles (mopeds), and required registration with the MVC. However, the MVC system would not allow registration because the law was written for gas-powered vehicles. That left e-bikes in a legal gray area, according to the center.
“There are no other motorized vehicles that you can legally operate on land or on our waterways that do not require some type of certification or licensing,” said Swift.
Swift, Polistina and Guardian’s office had received complaints about e-bike safety prior to the July 17 tragedy, but following the accident, began receiving more about changing the law so that e-bike riders could be given safety classes when operating the motorized vehicles.
Swift said the lawmakers are hoping to have the legislation drafted and on the governor’s desk by the end of the summer, and they will probably need to get a Democrat to co-sponsor.
In addition to the training courses, the legislation will make wearing helmets mandatory.
“I can’t tell you how many times you see these kids and they’re not wearing a helmet, just like a motorcycle or a moped, where you’re required to wear a helmet. That should be the same with e-bikes,” Swift said.
Tragedy inspires towns to tighten enforcement
A little over a week after the fatal accident, a 17-year-old boy was hit by an SUV on Route 40 in Hamilton Township. Police said he was not wearing a helmet and was injured in the crash.
On July 23, the Brigantine Police Department announced via Facebook that it would be tightening enforcement on electric bike and bicycle violations.
“While e-bikes and bikes are a convenient and eco-friendly way to get around, we have seen a rise in unsafe and illegal use, especially in high-traffic areas. Our goal is to keep everyone safe — pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike,” the department wrote.
On July 28, the Somers Point Police Department posted that it would be cracking down on enforcement of e-bike and bicycle violations as well. The department said that “e-bike and bicycle riders must follow all traffic laws relating to bicycle operation; Riders under 17 must wear a helmet and operating recklessly may result in fines and/or impoundment.”
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
