TRENTON, N.J. — In the wake of a tragic accident that claimed the life of an Egg Harbor Township teenager earlier this month, Senator Vince Polistina and Assembly members Don Guardian and Claire Swift (all R-Atlantic) announced plans Tuesday to introduce legislation requiring safety instruction for e-bike riders in New Jersey.
“First and foremost, our condolences are with the Sullivan family in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy,” Polistina said, referring to the July 17 incident that resulted in the teen’s death. “As we see an increased use of these types of electric bicycles, so too do we see an increase in accidents.”
Polistina noted that his legislative office, which he shares with Guardian and Swift, received numerous inquiries from residents and local officials following the crash, seeking clarification on current e-bike laws and potential legislative solutions.
“After some initial research, it was clear that New Jersey does not offer proper safety instruction for these young riders,” Polistina said. He added that, in coordination with the Office of Legislative Services, they are drafting a bill to create an operator’s safety course for Class I and Class II e-bike operators.
Assemblyman Guardian emphasized that e-bikes, which can reach speeds up to 20 miles per hour, pose greater risks than traditional bicycles and should be regulated more like mopeds or scooters.
“As the speed increases, so does the need for knowledge about how to safely operate an e-bike,” Guardian said.
Assemblywoman Swift, a former New Jersey Deputy Attorney General, said the lack of licensing or certification requirements for e-bike riders is a public safety concern.
“There are no other motorized vehicles that you can legally operate on land or on our waterways that do not require some type of certification or licensing,” Swift said. “We do this to ensure responsible operation and keep everyone safe on the roads. We need to provide the same for our e-bikers.”
The lawmakers expect the bill draft to be completed within the next two weeks and plan to introduce it when the state legislature reconvenes after the summer recess.
