Mount Olive police remind drivers to share road, clarify e-bike laws ahead of summer

MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) – With warm weather returning and summer on the horizon, the Mount Olive Police Department is reminding drivers to stay alert as more pedestrians and cyclists begin to share the roadways. Officials are also addressing growing confusion about the legal use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) in the township.

“Safety is our top priority,” the department said in a statement. “We urge all motorists to stay focused behind the wheel, especially with the seasonal increase in non-motorized road users.”

In addition to road safety, the department is raising awareness about Mount Olive Township’s local ordinances and state regulations concerning e-bikes and other motorized vehicles. Under township law, e-bikes, dirt bikes, electric scooters, ATVs, and UTVs are prohibited in all township parks. Only licensed motor vehicles are permitted, and only in designated areas such as roads and parking lots.

“There’s a lot of misinformation about e-bike legality and classification,” the department noted. “Many parents unknowingly purchase high-powered e-bikes for their children online without realizing these bikes may not be legal for public use.”

According to state law, e-bikes fall into three categories:

• Class 1: Pedal-assist only, with no throttle and a top speed of 20 mph. There is no age restriction, but riders must follow standard bicycle laws.
• Class 2: Pedal-assist and throttle, with a top speed of 20 mph. These may require registration, insurance, and a moped license if they exceed certain power thresholds (more than 750 watts or 50cc).
• Class 3: Pedal-assist and throttle, with a top speed of 28 mph. These must be registered and insured if they meet certain criteria, and they cannot be operated on public roads if capable of speeds above 28 mph.

Mount Olive police warn that many e-bikes sold on websites like Amazon and Walmart may lack proper classification labels and may exceed the 28 mph legal speed limit, making them illegal to operate on public roads.

For more information, residents are encouraged to visit njbikeped.org/micromobility and nj.gov/transportation/commuter/bike/regulations.shtm.

Anyone with questions about e-bike use or local ordinances can contact the Mount Olive Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 973-691-0850 ext. 7555.