E-Bike Safety Update Shared By Ocean City Mayor

OCEAN CITY, NJ — After discussing the need for stronger e-bike safety standards, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian shared an update on legislation.

Gillian said he met with Asm. Antwan McClellan in an update shared Monday.

Related: Ocean City Mayor Calls For E-Bike Safety After Close Call

"Our assemblyman is supporting a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter (D-Somerset, Union) that would require all e-bikes to be registered with the state Motor Vehicle Commission and to be insured," Gillian said. "The proposed legislation would not require low-speed e-bike riders to have a driver’s license."

Carter's bill would "not be a cure-all," Gillian said, but it would improve things from where they are. Law enforcement would have a way to more easily identify e-bike riders who violate the law, and since vehicles can only be registered by someone 17-or-older, an adult or near-adult would be held accountable for any young rider, he said.

The bill is currently being considered at the committee level. If it advances, it could be voted on in the fall and take effect in 2026.

"I want to encourage you all to support this measure as just one small way to address the problem," Gillian said.

But more importantly, he urged parents to understand the potential risks of having young e-bike riders. Gillian also reminded adult e-bike riders to follow the rules of the road.

"Low-speed e-bikes and e-scooters must ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all traffic lights, signs and signals. Helmets are required for all riders under age 17 and advised for all other low-speed e-bike riders," Gillian said. "E-bikes should not ride on sidewalks, and parked e-bikes should not block pedestrian or wheelchair access. And everyone should slow down and be cautious on the crowded streets of Ocean City year-round … and be especially careful as the school year starts again in the next few weeks."