The laws aren't really harsh, they're just catching up with new tech. In my area there are tons of 10-15 year olds riding the motocross style e bikes, which isn't a problem, except that they go like 40+ mph in residential areas with no helmets, and they blow through stop signs all the time. Matter of time before one of those kids get veggied
this post was submitted on 20 Jan 2026
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micromobility - Bikes, scooters, boards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility
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The laws are harsh when they treat a pedal assisted ebike that your grandma can use to what is basically a motorbike, but sold as an "e-bike".
The real problem is motorbikes being sold as e-bikes (which can also come with deceptive advertising).
Real e-bikes that can't go 40mph shouldn't be effected, but it looks like they are blanket banning them.
Yeah, the fact this would affect my class 1 ebike really pisses me off.
100% whoever proposed this law doesn't see the full ramifications it will have (most likely deepended reliance on cars as less people use their ebikes for small trips and hurting poorer people).
most likely deepended reliance on cars
They know exactly what they are doing. Never underestimate the pro-car bullshit American politicians will pull.
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This viewpoint is exactly how this law got passed.
No consideration for the electric bikes that either only assist when pedalling, nor throttle controlled bikes that only get to 15-20mph.
Imagine if the laws surrounding atv's were changed to include 'anything with four wheels that doesn't operate primarily on a roadway', and now someone in an electric wheelchair needs insurance and licencing to get around 'legally'.
Imagine if the laws surrounding atv’s were changed to include ‘anything with four wheels that doesn’t operate primarily on a roadway’, and now someone in an electric wheelchair needs insurance and licencing to get around ‘legally’.
dont give em ideas
Yeah, but those things got nothing to do with e-bikes. They're electric motorcycles with added pedals to pass as bicycles legally
to pass as bicycles legally
Not even legally if you legally define ebikes as only being within the 3-class system. They only pass as ebikes at a glance if they're going slow enough at the time you look or can't measure their speed (granted, a decent cyclist can get those well past the 20mph cap were you get assistance even on flat paths and downhill gravity will do that with no assistance from the bike or rider, so it becomes harder to prove without just testing it out).
If I got $100 each time I see a car in NYC blowing through red light or stop sign in NJ I would retire, sit and watch traffic! (Maybe not in 0F lol)
Those are already illegal.
Main issue for me is that this gives cops a valid reason to stop and harass cyclists.
I do not live in an urban area, it's a suburban sprawl, and I already get stopped and harassed by the cops for biking on roads. I'm properly lit up and cautious.
They haven't done anything yet, because they can't, but that doesn't stop them or the drivers from reporting me either.
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Getting rid of the three class system was a galaxy brain move, lol.
Have fun with emotos on shared use trails, instead of gentle class I-3 bikes doing 15.
Just for your information how this is done here in the EU:
- There is a limit on 2050 W max. power and 25km/h max speed
- in most countries it is "pedal assist only", so those throttles are banned
- in this case eBikes are classified as normal bicycles
- there is a class of faster bicycles @ 45km/h which require a licence and insurance
That is not perfect, but it kind of does work. That way police can keep those DIY electric motorcycles from our street, but everybody can ride eBikes.
2050 W
250W, 2kW would be nice though.
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Are there not already laws about being reckless in public areas? Why are we not enforcing those? Why do we need new specific ones about bikes?
Not that I'm arguing the merits of your argument. But there is a ton of degens from upstate who are buying super powerful ones from the various cheap China sites. And are a legit menace in New Jersey.
I think this regulation wouldn't even be considered if there wasn't people going 60 in a 25 around there.
Again you're correct that they are obviously not enforcing laws already on the book. But I think a large portion of the pedestrian population are in support of this cause of those idiots.
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Creating rules for Formula 1 cars that also apply to a Toyota Corolla might not be the best idea.
Am I missing something, or did Murphy sign this on his last day in office?
Murphy pointed to several recent fatal crashes involving e-bikes as the motivation behind the law. He also pointed to a variety of cases that involved people using shoes to walk places, and encouraged the committee explore similar insurance and licensure to use shoes.
The committee attempted to explain that the most prominent commonality in those crashes was cars, but he had already stuffed his fingers in his ears.
I'm not even required to insure my motorcycle, these laws are a bullshit money grab
Where do you live that you're not required to insure a motorcycle??? You should probably be required to insure it.
Florida lol
Of course, fucking Florida.
Washington also doesn't require it
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It's New Jersey for anyone wondering. Really didn't expect them of all places to do it.
I mean there's already laws for small engine equipped bikes, and e-bikes are just those but without the gasoline.
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