On February 15, Senate President Scutari introduced bill S2292 to the Senate Transportation Committee, requiring owners of low-speed ebikes (20mph and under) to register with the motor vehicle commission and purchase insurance.
Numerous national, state, and local advocacy organizations testified or registered opposition to the bill, including New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition, Regional Plan Association, Environment NJ, NJ Future, Union County Connects, Bike Hoboken, Climate Revolution Action Network, Bike Walk Montclair, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, as well as the Insurance Council of NJ and the American Property Casualty Association.
Advocates testified that the bill would discourage and penalize cyclists, essentially creating a barrier to entry to new and potential ebike owners. Low-speed e-bikes already have speed limiters and travel at no more than 20mph while pedalling. This is similar to the speed of regular bicycles; indeed e-bikes are often referred to as “pedal-assist bicycles,” and marketed to help riders attain the speed of a bicycle with less effort. Many owners claim their e-bikes have replaced a car to provide transportation to and from work, school, and errands. Sales and ridership have grown exponentially in the past two years, and advocates are concerned that inappropriate regulation would disincentivize e-bike ownership.
Debra Kagan, Executive Director of NJ Bike & Walk Coalition testified, “While the intention here is to protect riders and pedestrians, by discouraging e-bike use the bill will undermine our current efforts to reduce road crashes by pushing more people to continue driving cars rather than switching to an e-bike. Alongside protected bike lanes, data has shown more bikes on our roads is a proven safety measure which reduces the crash rate. In addition, low speed e-bikes are responsible for so few injuries that there are currently no insurance products in NJ to cover them.”
Corey Hannigan, Active Transportation Manager at Tri-State Transportation Campaign commented that “e-bikes and e-scooters are far less expensive than owning and operating a car. Workers who rely on e-bikes for primary transportation and jobs, like those in the delivery sector, are more likely to be from low-income communities and communities of color. Obtaining insurance and annual registration would pose a significant financial and logistical barrier, and make e-bike transportation inaccessible to undocumented residents. Even small fees, and complicated processes, for registering an ebike, can make it prohibitively complex and costly for working families.”
Additionally, registration does not correlate with safety. Motor vehicles already require registration and insurance, and yet were involved in every one of the 589 fatal crashes reported on NJ roadways in 2023. More than 200 pedestrians were killed on New Jersey roadways in 2023, and e-bikes were involved in none of these crashes. Furthermore, the bill would reduce the state’s ability to meet its own carbon neutrality goals of a 50% reduction by 2030 and 100% reduction by 2050. Kagan added , “To meet our state goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, zero fatalities and providing equitable transportation options we need to need to expand access for safe micromobility not make it more difficult.” She pointed out that numerous other states are finding ways to support and expand e-bike use with rebates and other strategies, and New Jersey should do the same.
In addition, Miller Nuttle, Citi Bike spokesperson, stated the bill would significantly increase the cost of bikeshare programs in New Jersey. At a time when municipalities are working to expand bikeshare access, this would be a devastating blow to communities.
Representatives from the Insurance trade associations testified against the bill, stating no policies currently exist for ebike coverage and any such products are unlikely to be developed.
Although the bill advanced from the Transportation Committee to the Budget and Appropriations Committee Sen Diegnan, Chair of the Transportation Committee, responded to the advocates, assuring them “the Senate President is well-aware of the input and will work on amendments and meet with advocates.”
We look forward to working with the senators to address the concerns raised by this bill.