On January 19, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the most restrictive e-bike law in the country. The new law restricts the definition of “low-speed electric bicycle” to only Class 1 devices, and treats Class 2 and 3 ebikes as “motorized bicycles.” All e-bikes now require both registration and a driver's license to ride anywhere in NJ, with Class 2 and 3 e-bikes also requiring an insurance policy. The final bill places unnecessary and burdensome restrictions on low-speed e-bikes while leaving higher-risk vehicles like electric mopeds and motorcycles without additional regulations.

This harmful bill was rushed through committees and full floor votes in both houses despite universal testimony in opposition. Multiple media outlets have reported on the negative implications of this law on riders, retailers, and the industry as a whole.

The law sets New Jersey up to become the most unfriendly state for bicycling in the country. The final version of this bill:

• Eliminates the current three-class e-bike classifications used in 46 states and instead puts forward confusing new categories.
• Negatively affects retailers in New Jersey and tourists from other states whose e-bikes will not be legal to operate in the state.
• Continues to place a burden on vulnerable populations by requiring registration, a driver’s license, and insurance for most electric bicycles.
• Doesn't provide a clear plan or funding to implement the law. Existing legislation on Class 3 e-bikes passed in 2019 requires registration, insurance, and a license but has not been implemented or enforced. This bill calls for a massive increase in those requirements.
• Fails to address the real safety issues that contributed to more than 500 fatalities and 3,000 series injuries on New Jersey's roadways in 2025: motor vehicles including unregulated, high-speed e-motos.

PeopleForBikes is disappointed this bill is now law but is encouraged by the unity of the many bicycling and transportation advocates who quickly rallied in support of amending and improving the bill language.

We are currently cooperating on draft language for a new bill to address the issues created by this legislation and redirect the focus of regulatory and safety efforts on e-motos, the high-speed electric mopeds, motorcycles, and dirt bikes being marketed to kids in New Jersey and across the country and the same devices involved in recent fatal crashes that led to this bill.

One of the most progressive and beneficial aspects of the bill is that we expect New Jersey authorities to proactively enforce provisions banning the online advertising and sale of e-motos that meet a new definition of "electric motorized bicycle." The ban takes effect immediately and includes “any two-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor capable of greater than 750 watts that is capable of reaching a speed greater than 28 miles per hour." These products are often advertised as having excessive motor power and built-in "fast" modes, so-called "electric dirt bikes" that are inappropriately equipped with pedals, or deceptively sold as a "Class 2 e-bike" but designed to be easily unlocked following manufacturer instructions. Similar devices without pedals are not included. We look forward to hearing from state authorities on their progress in stopping the sale of these e-motos.