This New Jersey E-Bike Law Is the Most Restrictive in the U.S.

This week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy enacted the strictest e-bike law in the nation, defining Class 1 bikes as “low-speed electric bicycles" and classifying Class 2 and 3 e-bikes as “motorized bicycles.” This new law requires all e-bikes to be registered, and all Class 2 and 3 e-bikes to be insured. It also requires riders over 17 to have a driver's license to operate them, and outlaws anyone under 15 from riding them at all. Although the bill adds unnecessary rules for low-speed e-bikes, the vehicles that most need stronger regulations for operation, such as electric mopeds and motorcycles, are not subject to much additional regulation under this law. 

"No person who is 17 years of age or older shall be permitted to operate a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle, unless the person shall be in possession of a valid basic driver’s license or a valid motorized bicycle license or permit."

No matter how you feel about eMTBs and e-bikes in general, we can all agree that they are a valuable tool, allow more people on bikes, reduce the dependency on cars, and, overall, do more good than harm. On the other hand, the unrestricted e-mopeds and motos are the biggest issue surrounding e-bikes in the modern age, and if anything needs more regulation, it’s these. But rather than addressing this issue, this new law imposes stricter restrictions on the average user who might rely on an e-bike as their main mode of transportation.

This outlandish bill was quickly moved through committees and full-floor votes in both houses despite widespread opposition from every angle. I’ve been watching this bill progress, and it's shocking that it has finally passed. It negatively impacts riders, retailers, and the industry as a whole, and is quickly making New Jersey the most unfriendly state for bicycling in the country.

The bill represents a significant setback for the industry’s progress and does not tackle the core safety issues: motor vehicles, including unregulated high-speed e-motos, which have led to over 500 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries on New Jersey's roads in 2025.

The Major Issues 

• Eliminates the current three-class e-bike classifications used in 46 states and instead puts forward confusing new categories.
• Negatively affects retailers in New Jersey and tourists from other states, whose e-bikes will not be legal to operate in the state.
• Continues to place a burden on vulnerable populations by requiring registration, a driver’s license, and insurance for most electric bicycles.
• Doesn't provide a clear plan or funding to implement the law. Existing legislation on Class 3 e-bikes passed in 2019 requires registration, insurance, and a license but has not been implemented or enforced. This bill calls for a massive increase in those requirements.

One aspect of the bill that could bring some positive change is the ability of New Jersey authorities to better enforce the ban on online advertising and the sale of e-motos that fall under a revised definition of "electric motorized bicycle." This ban is effective immediately and covers “any two-wheeled vehicle with fully functional pedals and an electric motor exceeding 750 watts that can reach speeds over 28 miles per hour." This is a step in the right direction, but still a grey area, and would include some of the newest eMTBs from Specialized, Amflow, and other brands with 750+ watt motors and unlockable off-road modes. 

On the other hand, these pseudo-motos are frequently marketed as high-power and include features such as 'fast' or ‘off-road’ modes that can be easily unlocked according to the manufacturer's instructions. They are often labeled as 'electric dirt bikes' with pedals, or misleadingly described as 'Class 2 e-bikes'. Devices without pedals (surrons, talarias, etc) are not part of this category, but they are among the most impactful in terms of injuries, fatalities, and unlawful trail use.

Thankfully, PeopleForBikes is currently working on draft language for a new bill to tackle the problems caused by this legislation. The aim is to shift regulatory and safety focus onto e-motos — high-speed electric mopeds, motorcycles, and dirt bikes sold to kids in New Jersey and nationwide. These are the same devices involved in recent fatal crashes that prompted this bill.