This is controversial enough that it deserves it's own post.
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The New Jersey State Legislature
www.njleg.state.nj.us
The controversial parts of NJ's new e-bike law (signed Jan 2026) include treating all e-bikes the same, requiring licenses/insurance for even slow pedal-assist models, banning online sales, and potentially creating barriers for commuters and delivery workers, while failing to address high-powered e-motos; critics say it over-regulates low-speed bikes and misses the mark on real safety issues from faster, more dangerous electric two-wheelers, say advocates.
Here's a breakdown of the controversy:
1. Unifying All E-Bikes
- The Change: The law eliminates NJ's previous three-class system, lumping slow, pedal-assist bikes (like Class 1) with powerful, motorcycle-like "e-motos".
- The Controversy: Biking advocates argue this unfairly burdens low-speed commuter bikes, which are popular for transport, with rules meant for much faster, more dangerous machines.
2. Licensing & Insurance Mandates
- The Requirement: All e-bike riders must eventually get a motorized bicycle license (or use a regular driver's license) and carry insurance.
- The Controversy: This creates barriers to micromobility for everyday users and delivery workers, with concerns about increased police stops and penalties, especially for lower-income riders.
3. Misdirected Focus
- The Problem: Serious crashes often involve high-speed e-motos, not standard low-speed e-bikes.
- The Criticism: The law restricts low-speed bikes but doesn't effectively target the truly dangerous, high-powered devices that cause severe accidents, say advocates.
4. Other Controversial Provisions
- Online Sales Ban: A one-year ban on online e-bike sales was included.
- Age Restriction: Bans children under 14 from operating e-bikes.
- Lack of Enforcement: Critics point out the state failed to enforce an earlier 2019 law for Class 3 bikes, making them question the new law's future effectiveness.
In essence, the debate is about whether the law effectively improves safety or creates unnecessary burdens on responsible riders while failing to address the core problem of dangerously modified or powerful electric bikes and scooters (e-motos) on the roads..
ucnj.org
mascomagreenway.com
