New Jersey town toughening e-bike rules ahead of a new state law

MOORESTOWN, N.J. (WPVI) -- A new statewide law regulating e-bikes in New Jersey is set to take effect next month, requiring riders to register their bikes and, in some cases, obtain a license and insurance, while some municipalities move to impose additional restrictions.

The law will classify e-bikes as "motorized bicycles," requiring state registration, a valid license and liability insurance.

While the measure has drawn support from officials and residents concerned about safety, some advocates are already calling for revisions.

The push for regulation comes amid a rise in serious crashes involving e-bikes on busy roadways.

Six months ago,Anthony Caprio III was killed while riding his e-bike on Route 73 in Mount Laurel. David Sufrin, a lawyer representing the family, said the tragedy highlights risks associated with high-traffic roads.

"I guess what we're to learn from it is that e-bikes shouldn't be ridden on major highways, any numbered highway," Sufrin said.

More recently, 16-year-old Chase Sundano of Burlington County was killed after crashing into a UPS truck.

"Kids are getting killed in these vehicles. My message is that something has to happen to address that issue and we can't just do nothing," Sufrin said.

"Driver education should be the same for these e-bikes; they're motorized vehicles, they travel on the roadway. There should be an age restriction, and they should be subject to some sort of training."

Under the new law, riders without a driver's license will need to obtain an e-bike license. Appointments to begin the process start Friday. Riders must be at least 15 years old and complete a knowledge test, practice period and road test before riding legally.

Local officials say public concerns have driven action at the municipal level as well.

"The focus is always safety and making sure the kids understand what they're utilizing and the impact they can have and injuries that can be caused as a result," said Patrick Reilly, Moorestown's police director.

"I think we've just had a few incidents with it, and the township residents have come out and spoken to council, and council has made this a priority."

In Moorestown this week,local leaders adopted a stricter ordinance to supplement the new state law. The measure requires helmet use and restricts or more closely regulates e-bike operation on sidewalks, trails, parks and school property.

"At first, it'll be warning with education, but eventually, with repeat offenders, there could be citations," said Sgt. Craig Ruggiano of the Moorestown Police Department.

Despite the focus on safety, critics argue the law is overly broad.

"The way that the law has been shaped is that most of the punishment goes toward the lower speed e-bikes," said John Boyle of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia works closely with the New Jersey Bike Walk Coalition. Advocates say they're concerned about low-speed devices being grouped with more-powerful devices designed for speed and performance, which are more often involved in crashes and sometimes used by younger operators.

"It's kind of collective punishment," Boyle said. "It's too broad, it affects too many people, it doesn't solve the problem."

State officials have not yet addressed questions about how the law will apply to out-of-state visitors bringing e-bikes into New Jersey, including those traveling to the Jersey Shore.

For now, both the statewide law and Moorestown's local ordinance are set to take effect July 19.