New Jersey’s New E-Bike Law (Updated!) - New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition

Note: The blog post below (February 24, 2026) provides updated information and replaces an earlier post (February 13, 2026).

We Aren’t Giving Up: New Jersey Deserves Better E-Bike Policy

Just before leaving office, Gov. Murphy has signed the bill that has become New Jersey’s “New E-Bike Law” (S4834/A6235), requiring riders to have registration and a license to ride ANY e-bike in New Jersey, including low-speed e-bikes that go under 20mph. Although this bill is now New Jersey’s “New E-Bike Law”, we aren’t giving up our opposition!

This law focuses on regulating low speed e-bikes and the people who use them, which are not the problem—and does not include enough regulation for sale, enforcement, and education of high speed e-motorcycles (e-motos), which are the problem.

Together with a growing and active coalition, we are having ongoing discussions with legislators about a new bill to address the negative impact of this law in communities around the state. We will continue to organize advocates across the state to oppose this law and help us craft a better one. There is something you can do now.

Our legislators need to continue to hear from you about the impact this law is having on your lives and the importance of e-bikes as transportation options. Contact your legislators today, share your personal stories, and ask them to step up to fix this law.

Implementation and Enforcement: Here’s What We Know So Far

With so much confusion about the “New E-Bike Law”, we have heard lots of questions about which rules apply to whom and when. The level of confusion we’ve seen in the last few weeks is the direct result of rushed legislation that failed to respond to constituent’s testimony about the bills’ shortcomings and negative impact on vulnerable communities. While many local law enforcement agencies have begun distributing information about their interpretation of the law, the law is filled with inconsistent language leading to contradictory messages which need clarification.

We have been working with coalition partners and state agencies to get clarification about how the law is being implemented but there is still a lot that is unclear. We need a clear determination from the Attorney General’s office and that may be delayed due to Governor Sherrill’s recently signed Executive Order No. 7, instituting a 90-day pause on the proposal and adoption of new rules and regulations.

Since our last post earlier this month, there remains a great deal of contradictory language in the law. We are doing our best to share with you our latest information so have included some updates as we work to understand how the law will be implemented. Below is a summary of what we know so far and what remains unclear with some added details from our previous post. We placed an asterisks (*) in the discussion of each topic to mark specific points that need clarification. You’ll find additional notes at the end of each section.

We will continue to update this page as additional information becomes available so check back often for new details!

The Law Uses A New Classification System

Like the old law, the new law offers three categories–however, these make substantial changes to prior classifications. The former Classes 1, 2, and 3 no longer apply and are replaced by entirely new classifications. Below are the new classifications; however, there are still many unanswered questions about the requirements for each classification due to confusing and contradictory language in the law.* Note also that E-scooters are not affected by the new law.

New Classification	Description
Low Speed Electric Bicycles	Has pedals, two wheels, pedal assist up to 20 mph, and no throttle. This category most closely relates to the former Class 1 category.
Motorized Bicycles	Has pedals, two wheels, and a throttle with a top assist speed of 28 mph. This category most closely relates to the former Class 2 and Class 3 categories.
Electric Motorized Bicycles	Has pedals, two wheels, a motor of 750 Watts or higher, and a throttle that drives the device at speeds higher than 28 mph. NOTE: This device is an e-motorcycle (e-moto) and does not fall under prior definitions of low-speed e-bikes (previous Class 1-3 categories). This category treats e-motorcycles as Motorcycles.

Points For Clarification: Although the categories use different combinations of the words “electric” and “motorized”, the specific definitions–and not the general, common usage of these terms–should be used to identify the corresponding classification of devices. Note that devices with more than two wheels are not described in the law at all, nor are there descriptions for other devices such as cargo bikes that may carry passengers or recumbent bikes that may be used by older riders, persons with disabilities, or those requiring adaptive mobility tools. Therefore, it is unclear whether any requirements apply to these devices, which may have some of the features described above but do not otherwise fit the definitions in the law.

UPDATES

*We have also heard some confusion whether “Low Speed Electric Bicycles” is a subcategory of “Motorized Bicycles” or a stand-alone category. In our earlier post, we reported that “Low Speed Electric Bicycles” represent a separate category with different requirements than “Motorized Bicycles”–especially in regards to insurance coverage. We discuss the insurance issue in more detail in the next section below. However, there is contradictory language in the law concerning this issue. We will continue to seek clarification from the Attorney General’s office about current implementation as well as a commitment from legislators to address this confusion.

The Law Requires Licensing, Registration, Insurance, and Helmets for Specific Devices

The main requirements of this law relate to licensing, registration and display of license plates on the device, and insurance.* There are also requirements related to age restrictions. All “Low Speed Electric Bicycle” and “Motorized Bicycle” riders will now need a license. No one under the age of 15 is permitted to ride these devices. A rider between the ages of 15-16 years is required to have a special “motorized bicycle license” to use any device. Riders who are 17 years and older, can use a drivers license to operate these devices. The law also requires a NJDOT-approved helmet for persons using “Motorized Bicycles.”

New Classification	Requirements
Low Speed Electric Bicycles	Requires license and registration for all users. Note that the registration requirements additionally includes display of a license plate on the device. Riders between the ages of 15-16 are required to obtain a special license; riders ages 17 and older can use a drivers license. It is unclear whether this category requires insurance. The Attorney General’s office must provide guidance about this requirement.* The existing law already requires riders under 17 years of age to wear a helmet while using these devices (formerly Class 1).
Motorized Bicycles	Requires license, registration, and insurance for all users. Note that the registration requirements additionally includes display of a license plate on the device. Riders between the ages of 15-16 are required to obtain a special license; riders ages 17 and older can use a drivers license. Persons using devices under the new classification (formerly Class 2 and 3) will need to wear a NJDOT approved helmet.
Electric Motorized Bicycles	Licensing, registration, and insurance were already required for motorcycles before the law was adopted. All existing regulations for Motorcycles now apply to all devices in this classification.

Points For Clarification:

UPDATES

*The confusion around insurance for “Low Speed Electric Bicycles” comes from two issues in the language in the law. As noted above, it is not clear whether “Low Speed Electric Bicycle” and “Motorized Bicycle” are separate categories with different requirements. Additionally, the section of the law that describes requirements for “Low Speed Electric Bicycles” does not mention liability insurance but in a later section the law states that riders must present proof of insurance to law enforcement if requested. This contradictory language makes it unclear what the insurance requirements are for “Low Speed Electric Bicycles”.

The Law Goes Into Effect Immediately, With a 6-Month Grace Period

The law goes into effect immediately (on January 19, 2026, the date it was signed) and therefore could be enforced immediately. There is also language in the law that states people will have six months following the signing of the law to obtain registration, insurance and a license.

Individual users will be required to select appropriate insurance coverage through private insurance companies for devices requiring it.* They will also be required to follow Motor Vehicle Commission procedures for licensing and registration for themselves and their devices.** Enforcement will be carried out by local law enforcement agencies.***

UPDATES

In our earlier post, we reported that the signature date was January 20, 2026 with an implementation date of July 20, 2026.

6-Month Grace Period

License, registration is required for “Low Speed Electric Bicycles”. Requirement for insurance is unclear, see discussion above.*
License, registration, and insurance for “Motorized Bicycles.”
Deadline to obtain is July 19, 2026; 1st year registration is free.

Points For Clarification:

UPDATES

*As noted above, there is confusion in the language of the law as to whether insurance is required for “Low Speed Electric Bicycles”.

**There remain many unknowns with respect to how MVC may implement the requirements of this law for licensing and registration procedures which will impact riders ability to obtain appropriate documentation and coverage.

***This “grace period” does not clearly prohibit law enforcement agencies from stopping users or issuing citations in the near term. Because the law goes into effect immediately, it is possible that law enforcement agencies may begin stopping riders, requesting proof of documents, and issuing citations. While some local police departments are reporting immediate enforcement, especially for age requirements, we have requested clarification on this issue.

The Law Applies to Device Owners/Operators and Businesses Selling or Renting Devices

Although the law describes regulations primarily according to the specific device being used, they ultimately apply to the people who own, operate, sell, or rent the devices.

As noted above, individual users are required to act in compliance with the requirements of the devices they are using.* Businesses selling or renting devices may also have additional responsibilities in registering their businesses, reporting their inventory, and providing customers with registration forms.

UPDATES

We have added additional details below to describe requirements for customers as owners and renters, and to highlight the difference for customers using devices through bikeshares and rental businesses.

Owners/Operators	Required to obtain appropriate documentation and coverage as determined for devices in each classification which they own. Required to provide proof of compliance to law enforcement officials if they are stopped.
Customers Renting Devices from a Rental Business	Required to obtain appropriate documentation and coverage for themselves as determined for devices in each classification, which they will rent from a rental business. Required to provide proof of compliance to law enforcement officials if they are stopped.
Businesses Selling or Renting Devices	MAY be required to register as “motor vehicle dealers” and pre-register devices in the “Motorized Bicycles” category Required for businesses renting devices in the “Motorized Bicycles” category to maintain liability insurance
BikeShare Users	Bikeshare users are excluded from requirements related to licensing, registration, and insurance. They must comply with terms of usage for bikeshare devices.

Points For Clarification:

Note that insurance for passengers is not addressed in the law. While “Motorized Bicycles” are prohibited from carrying anyone other than the operator, it is unclear whether other devices may be used to carry passengers and what, if any, requirements may additionally apply to them.

UPDATES

*As noted above, MVC has not yet established procedures for licensing and registration for individual users.

The Law Bans Internet Sales of Specific Devices

The law states that no person shall sell, or offer for sale, on the Internet any “Electric Motorized Bicycle”. This does not prohibit any local sales. The ban does not make reference to “Low Speed Electric Bicycles” or “Motorized Bicycles”.

UPDATES

In addition to our comments in our earlier post about the ban on “Electric Motorized Bicycles”, note that the law also bans the sale of modification kits designed to change the features of the devices in the “Low Speed Electric Bicycle” category.

Electric Motorized Bicycles (No online sales of this device)

Has pedals, two wheels, a motor of 750 Watts or higher, and a throttle that drives the device at speeds higher than 28 mph.
NOTE: This device is an e-motorcycle (e-moto) and does not fall under prior definitions of low-speed e-bikes (previous Class 1-3 categories).
This category treats e-motorcycles as Motorcycles.

Points For Clarification: Because the definition of “Electric Motorized Bicycles” includes pedals, it is unclear how this ban may apply to e-motos without pedals (Surron, Talaria, Tuttio, etc).

The Law Does Not Apply to Bike Shares

All Bike Shares are exempt from license requirements. Currently, CitiBike/Lyft is the only public bike share company operating in New Jersey that offers e-bikes. The minimum age for bike share users is already established as 16 years.

UPDATES

As noted above, we want to emphasize that device rentals made through a rental business are different from rentals made through a bikeshare program.

The Law May Not Apply to Out-of-State Residents

The law states that nonresident owners of “Motorized Bicycles” must comply with the laws that govern licensing, registration, and insurance in their own home state and that the new requirements in New Jersey will not apply to them.

UPDATES

The language in the law suggests that if nonresidents are asked to produce proof of license, registration, and insurance, they may present equivalent documentation from their home state.*

Points For Clarification:

The law does not address nonresident uses of “Low Speed Electric Bicycles”. It also does not distinguish nonresident users who are riding a device they do not own and have not rented from an authorized business.

The law does not address nonresident uses of “Electric Motorized Bicycles”. However, Motorcycles already require license, registration, and insurance as motor vehicles, regardless of the operator’s home state.

UPDATES

*The law does not describe situations where a user may not have equivalent documentation from their home state if requested by law enforcement. For example, since other states do not require a drivers license to operate a low-speed e-bike, nonresident users in New Jersey may not possess a drivers license and therefore not be able to show one.

(NEW!) The Law May Apply to Using Devices on Bike Paths

New Jersey law expressly allows “Low Speed Electric Bicycles” (formerly Class 1) to be used on bike paths unless they have been specifically prohibited. New Jersey law does not address the use of “Motorized Bicycles” (Class 2 and 3) on bicycle paths. Importantly, “Motorized Bicycles” are not considered “motor vehicles” in New Jersey (as compared to Motorcycles, which are considered “motor vehicles”).

Local laws may differ or provide more detail. Users should confirm whether the use of their device is permitted on the bike paths they plan to use.