E-Bike Concerns Raised At Basking Ridge Parks, Township Issues Safety Warning

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Concerns about electric bikes being ridden at Township parks and on pathways have been raised in Basking Ridge.

Committeeman David Tancredi recently shared e-bike safety standards at the Sept. 9 Township Committee meeting after he said he "received a number of emails and calls about e-bikes in our parks and on our pathways."

Tancredi said there is a difference under New Jersey law in how the electric bikes are classified. Low-speed electric bikes that do not exceed 20 mph follow the same regulations as a regular bicycle, while e-bikes that exceed 20mph are considered motorized bikes.

The low-speed e-bikes are allowed to share the pathways that are both designated for pedestrian and bicycle use within the township, said Tancredi.

"We ask that e-bike riders use proper etiquette when sharing these pathways," said Tancredi.

The motorized bicycles that exceed 20 mph must comply with state regulations.

The state law requires a minimum age of 15 to operate, and operators must pass a written road test from the Motor Vehicle Commission to obtain a motorized bicycle license.

E-bikes must be registered and insured. Riders must wear a New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)-approved helmet (not a bicycle helmet). NJDOT lights and equipment are also required, and the speed limit is not to exceed 28 mph.

"We ask the public if they see these ebike users in our parks and on our pathways exceeding the 20mph limit or driving in an unsafe manner to please notify the police department immediately," said Tancredi.

Bernards Township Police Chief Timothy King told Patch that the department has "had very minimal complaints concerning Ebikes, thus far."

King added that the police department has also posted safety messages on their boards throughout the Township and has a plethora of information on their website, which can be found at this link, bernards.org/police-pages/530-e-bikes-e-scooters.

The Bernards Township Police Department is located at 1 Collyer Lane in Basking Ridge. To contact the police, call 908-766-1122.

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