The New Jersey state Senate Transportation Committee is scheduled to vote on a bill next week which would require low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and to be insured.
According to the bill, which is co-sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari and Senator Vin Gopal, it would be prohibited for anyone in New Jersey to operate a low-speed electric bike or scooter unless they are registered by the owner.
In addition, the bill requires the registered owner to maintain liability insurance coverage, personal injury protection coverage for pedestrians, and uninsured motorist coverage.
Currently, EBikes in New Jersey are viewed as low-speed electric bicycles and don’t need to be registered or licensed.
This issue needs to be addressed but this is definitely not the correct response. Typical liberals…
It’s about time they are no different than me if I need a reg. And insurance they should also if they drive in traffic
Another money grab by the DICTATOR
Good old New Jersey. The state that has never found something it couldn’t regulate.
What about mid and high speed electric bikes and scooters?
At the moment in New Jersey any electric bike scooter or motorcycle that goes over 25mph must have a license plate insurance ( for electric motorcycle you must have a moped license) this is something I didn’t know. I had a electric motorcycle that could go up to 35mph and I received tickets for no insurance registration or license
what about segway or similar hoverboards and one wheelers, and what about battery issues and other fire hazards?
If they are operating a motorized vehicle the drivers need to know traffic laws and be liable in case of accident. This isn’t some incredible left wind conspiracy.It’s simply a matter of making legitimate boundaries and setting some responsibiity.
Then why not bikes, skateboarders, horses, rollerblades, jet skis, etc? As you are forced to purchase insurance, they are not forced to payout. They fight you in court often to pay much less.
To all those complaining, come up with a better solution to the way children, young adults and adults act like maniacs on the roads, we’re all ears. Either you regulate yourself or the government comes in to regulate it.
Absolutely. The status quo is not working but any attempt to address it is called government overreach. If people cannot police themselves then someone else will. Is it really so hard to stop an ebike at stop signs, red lights or just to slow down for pedestrians. If they did we wouldn’t be discussing this.
Non-electric bikes can go as fast as the low speed electrics and also drive on the streets, are capable of hitting pedestrians, so should they also be registered and insured?
Most people on standard bikes aren’t weaving in and out of traffic with total disregard. Some do, but they are the minority. E-bikers, the majority are animals on the road.
Have you seen some of those kids on bicycles riding in the middle of a main street doing wheelies with no regard for a 2 ton car. I believe there are more reckless bikers than you think. Most responsible bikers ride in groups and respect traffic laws.
What about regular non- electric bikes, skateboards, roller blades, and scooters that can also go as fast if not faster than those that are electric? Should they need to be registered and insured?
Thumbs up, says this conservative.
How bout regulating little tykes cozy coupes too.. My kid drives it like a animal
The people that can’t afford a car or the insurance are the ones having to ride these things. Give us a break.
I totally agree with you. I can’t afford either one. I’m 75 and it’s hard for me to pedal a bike.
They can’t even stop automotive drivers today from driving without any headlights or tail lights on after dark and I see at least 2 such motor vehicles every evening!
Not to mention people making left turns at intersections with NO LEFT TURN signs AND doing so while the traffic light is RED!!! Not to mention all of the speeders on the highways driving 90 MPH for the entire length of the NJ turnpike, AC Expressway or the Parkway, or even roads such as Black Horse Pike!
This bill is over reach IMO and will do nothing to actually reduce the problems that exist already today. The only thing it will do is increase regulation and open another revenue stream for the state government. Yet, what is actually needed is better and more effective enforcement of laws already on the books.
I do get where this is coming from however, as I see electric scooter and bike riders riding wrecklessly and dangerously on streets and sidewalks and complete disobeying all normal traffic signs and laws. They ride up to 25 mph on sidewalks and boardwalks, sometimes hitting and seriously injuring pedestrians as well as completing ignoring any normal direction of travel while on a street and ignoring stop signs and red lights, in which case, they deserve to be hit and injured and/or die.
Strollers should also require registration, license plates, & insurance. I often see women on their phones pushing their stroller into the street without looking.
Maybe we should force skateboarders to have insurance since they are hurt more often than electric bikes. No freedom anymore.