New Jersey recently enacted one of the most restrictive electric bicycle laws in the country with the passage of S4834, fundamentally changing how e-bikes are regulated statewide and creating significant implications for retailers and riders. The law eliminates the widely adopted three-class system used in most states and replaces it with a framework that treats nearly all electric bicycles more like motor vehicles.

Under the new law, Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes remain defined as “low-speed electric bicycles” (LSEBs), while Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are now categorized as “motorized bicycles.” In practice, however, nearly all categories are subject to similar requirements, including licensing, registration, and insurance, making New Jersey a national outlier and creating confusion in the marketplace.

Multiple other requirements under the new law remain murky and confusing for retailers, manufacturers, advocates, and riders. PeopleForBikes compiled an FAQ to help explain the new requirements.

PEOPLEFORBIKES FAQ ON S4834

PeopleForBikes and our industry partners are actively working to amend S4834 to restore Class 1 and Class 2 low-speed electric bicycles to bicycle status and remove licensing, registration, and insurance mandates while creating a clearer regulatory structure for high-speed e-motos and electric motorcycles.

In the meantime, retailers play a critical role by educating customers, ensuring clear documentation at the point of sale, engaging in grassroots outreach to legislators, and communicating with local media about how burdensome requirements disproportionately affect commuters, seniors, delivery workers, riders with disabilities, and low-income residents. Proactive engagement is essential to shaping a more workable regulatory future for e-bikes in New Jersey.