WMBCTV: NJ Tightening Rules as E-Bike Safety Concerns Grow
- May 15
- 2 min read
From crowded sidewalks to busy streets, the popularity of e-bikes continues to surge but so are concerns about how fast they go… and who’s riding them. New Jersey is now tightening the rules and starting this summer, riders are expected to face new statewide requirements - including registration, insurance and licensing, along with a minimum age increase from 14 to 15. At the same time, towns throughout the state are adding their own restrictions - banning e-bikes from places like sidewalks, parks and other high-traffic public areas. James Walters is the Little Ferry Chief of Police and he says the department is hosting an information session later today at 6:30 pm at the borough hall in an effort to educate families and children.
“When you ride an ebike, you have to obey all traffic laws,” SAID CHIEF WALTERS. “A lot of these kids are 14, 13, 12 year olds - they don't know that. So we are trying to put it out there to at least educate them… We do have a borough ordinance in Little Ferry that we just passed maybe 4 months ago because we knew this was going to be a problem heading into the spring and summer and they are not permitted in parks, you can’t ride them on pathways. Our officers are warming them right now. They’re just issuing warnings but we’re going to give it a 45-day period before we start enforcing it.”
While officers work in an effort to keep riders, pedestrians and drivers safe, fire officials are expressing concerns over another major concern - lithium-ion battery fires. They warn that improperly charged or damaged batteries can spark dangerous, fast-moving fires - especially in densely populated areas including apartment buildings.
“We’re seeing it more and more that fires are igniting from a charger from a lithium ion battery so there are concerns and I know the manufacturer always sends out the warning,” said Chief Walters. “These bikes aren’t cheap, they run anywhere from $900 to $2,300. They are not cheap, it’s not like a regular bicycle.”
As laws continue to evolve to meet growing concerns, there’s also confusion about what comes next. With laws still changing and enforcement ramping up, riders and drivers are being urged to get informed now - before the new rules take full effect on July 19th.
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