Coalition protests against proposed e-bike regulations in New Jersey

Source: NJ Spotlight News

The new bill proposed registration and insurance for low-speed electric bikes

Representatives from over 40 organisations gathered to protest a bill (S-2292) that would impose strict regulation on e-bikes in New Jersey. The bill, sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Union) and Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), mandates that low-speed electric bikes and scooters be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. It also bans the use of any unregistered e-bikes and scooters and requires owners to have insurance coverage.

“Adding an extra layer of cost to insure these level 1 e-bikes would be a burden and would exclude not just e-bike delivery workers but anyone who cannot afford a car,” said Karin Vernoppan of Bike JC.

The coalition, comprising bike and pedestrian advocates, clean-energy groups, and members of the insurance industry, sent a letter to Scutari and Gopal criticizing the proposed legislation for its ineffectiveness and its inconsistency with the state’s net-zero emissions goal. Gopal mentioned that he expects the bill to be amended, while Scutari offered no comment.

The coalition advocates for a Vision Zero policy enacted across the state instead. “Jersey City has a great Vision Zero policy. They eliminated fatal crashes on Jersey City streets recently. And neighbouring Hoboken has gone seven years without a fatal crash,” said Corey Hannigan, active transportation program manager at the  Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “And because of that success, Secretary Pete Buttigieg called out Hoboken on a national level and said it’s an example. And every county in New Jersey is working on a Zero Vision policy right now, but they don’t have jurisdiction over state roads where a plurality of fatal crashes happen in New Jersey.”