Juvenile critically injured in Princeton e-bike crash as New Jersey prepares new regulations

PRINCETON, N.J. (WPVI) -- A juvenile riding an e-bike was critically injured after colliding with a car around noon Sunday at the intersection of Ewing Street and Terhune Road, according to Princeton police.

Police said the juvenile was riding on Ewing Street when the e-bike collided with a vehicle traveling on Terhune Road. The driver of the car suffered a minor injury.

The names of those involved have not been released, and the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Neighbors said they heard the crash and rushed to help.

"I rushed to my house and immediately got my cell phone and called 911," said Weixing Wang of Princeton, who lives nearby. "Very scary."

The crash comes as officials across New Jersey prepare for new statewide e-bike regulations set to take effect this summer.

Princeton Mayor Mark Freda said the incident is the municipality's first serious crash involving an e-bike and highlighted what he sees as the need for additional rules and education.

"E-bikes, as they evolve, as they become more powerful, we need more education so young people understand the rules of the road," Freda said.

Starting July 20, new state e-bike regulations will take effect. The rules include a minimum riding age of 15, a requirement that riders have either a driver's license or an e-bike license that requires a road test, and mandates that riders carry insurance and register their e-bikes with the Motor Vehicle Commission.

Another provision of the law requires all riders, regardless of age, to wear a helmet.

Some riders say adjusting to e-bikes can be difficult, particularly for those new to cycling.

"With e-bikes it's a challenge, A) because people getting on them that aren't necessarily used to cycling, and B) they're doing it at a speed they're not comfortable with either," said Matt Mahan of Pennington.

Separately, Princeton University will ban e-bikes from the main section of campus starting June 1, with very few exceptions.

While some groups, including the organization People for Bikes, have criticized the new state laws as too restrictive, people interviewed in Princeton said they support the changes in the interest of safety.

"With the amount of accidents that are happening, the amount you have to invest in those e-bikes - it's just a loss for a lot of these people," said Arhan Murkherjee of Princeton.

Police said the investigation into Sunday's crash is ongoing.