Stronger E-Bike Safety Standards Needed After South Jersey Teen's Death, Officials Say

EGG HARBOR TWP., NJ — Following the death of a 14-year-old e-bike rider, local officials and lawmakers are calling for stronger regulations and safety requirements for e-bike operators.

The Egg Harbor Township teen died after being struck by a car in Somers Point on July 17, officials previously said. And just this past weekend, a 17-year-old Mays Landing e-bike rider was hospitalized after being struck in Hamilton Township, local police said.

“As we see an increased use of these types of electric bicycles, so too do we see an increase in accidents,” Sen. Vince Polistina said in a statement. Polistina, along with Asm. Don Guardian and Asm. Claire Swift, called for strengthening safety requirements for e-bike operators.

Following the July 17 death, the delegation's office received multiple calls from residents and local officials asking about e-bike laws and what could be done.

“After some initial research, it was clear that New Jersey does not offer proper safety instruction for these young riders,” Polistina said. “In working with the Office of Legislative Services, we are drafting a bill to create an operator’s safety course for Class I and Class II e-bike operators.”

Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds called the death “a wake-up call.”

“A child has died, and we must ask ourselves: Could this have been prevented?” Reynolds asked in an op-ed shared July 21.

Reynolds noted that e-bikes are often operated by teenagers, who don't always have the cognitive tools to make safe decisions under pressure.

“These vehicles can reach high speeds, often without the safeguards and regulations required for cars or motorcycles. And while they may appear fun and convenient, we cannot allow their novelty to blind us to the reality: they are fast, heavy, motorized machines being operated in live trac, often by kids who are not developmentally ready for that responsibility,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds urged parents considering buying their child an e-bike to err on the side of caution. He also called for manufacturers and retailers to better educate consumers.

“If your child is not old enough to drive a car—if they wouldn’t yet qualify for a driver’s license—

why would we think they are prepared to manage these risks on two wheels?” Reynolds said.

Polistina, Guardian and Swift said that e-bikes should be regulated like mopeds and scooters, as they are more dangerous than a manually pedaled bike.

“These e-bikes have the ability to carry a rider up to twenty miles an hour, nearly twice the average speed of a traditional bike,” said Guardian. “As the speed increases, so does the need for knowledge about how to safely operate an e-bike.”

The team is drafting legislation that they expect to be finished in the next two weeks. They plan to introduce it after the legislature reconvenes.

“There are no other motorized vehicles that you can legally operate on land or on our waterways that do not require some type of certification or licensing,” Swift said. “We do this to ensure responsible operation and keep everyone safe on the roads. We need to provide the same for our e-bikers.”