Opinion: New Jersey’s E-Bike Insurance Proposal Would Have Chilling Effect on Micromobility (2024)

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Opinion: New Jersey’s E-Bike Insurance Proposal Would Have Chilling Effect on Micromobility? ›

Opinion: New Jersey's E-Bike Insurance Proposal Would Have Chilling Effect on Micromobility. A proposal to require insurance for low-speed electric bikes could hamper the adoption of non-auto modes, advocates argue.

E-Bike Regulations in New Jersey

Helmet use is required for all riders of motorized bicycles (e.g. Class 3). Age Restrictions: Motorized bicycles (e.g. Class 3) have a minimum age requirement of 15 years. There is no age limit for Class 1 and 2 electric bikes.

Electric bikes use one car-sized lead acid battery per year. Each battery represents 30-40 percent of its lead content emitted to the environment in the production processes, resulting in about 3 kilograms of lead emitted per battery produced.

One of the most common ebike problems people encounter is a punctured or damaged rear wheel. The rear wheel drives the bike and can be a major inconvenience once it stops working, preventing you from riding your e-bike until the problem is fixed.

There is no license or registration required for e-bikes at the state level, although some towns may offer registration. As per NJSA 39:4-14.16, you can ride your e-bike on bike lanes, streets, highways, and roadways in New Jersey, except for those where all bicycle traffic is restricted by regulation.

Low-speed electric bicycles must follow all the regulations established for traditional bicycles. This means there is no need for a license or registration.

Yet, one study from the Netherlands found that e-bikes were 3x more likely to be stolen compared to traditional bikes! Most e-bikes are neither easier nor more difficult to steal compared to traditional bikes, but they're typically more valuable (a big plus for thieves).

There is a higher risk of severe injury and death for riders of e-bikes than for regular bike users. E-bikes were reported as the reason for about 53,000 emergency department visits and caused 104 deaths from 2017-2022. In 2022 alone, e bikes were linked to 24,400 emergency department visits.

Without a doubt! E-bikes can be an excellent choice for seniors who will discover they can ride much longer distances without physical strain. They are also suitable for people with health restrictions or anyone whose fitness is presently below optimum levels.

Do electric bikes rust? ›

Your ebike can, and will, get dirty. There's no way of getting around it. However the colder, wetter months of the year are a time when your ebike is potentially going to get a lot dirtier quicker. If you don't take proper care of cleaning after every ride there's a good chance rust will occur.

According to a Danish study, electric bicycle riders are about 57 percent more likely to get into an accident than traditional bike riders. One Reuters study also found that e-bike riders are at an increased risk of suffering severe injuries in accidents compared to conventional bicyclists.

The carbon footprint of this mode of transport is smaller: an average of 13g CO2e/km travelled, compared with 60 to 75g CO2e/km travelled by an electric city car. Most (94%) of the GHG emissions from an electric bicycle come from its manufacture, in particular the manufacture of the aluminium frame.

Usually, ebikes last for roughly ten years, but the year count can be low or high depending on several factors. Often you can consider replacing gears, tires, chains, brakes, etc., and may even replace the battery or motor for extended optimal performance.

Overheating is the number one reason for e-bike fires and that mostly comes from abuse of the batteries and overcharging especially where good charge controllers are not included in the power management components.

Class 2: Bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated motor, and that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20 mph. Class 1 and 2 ebikes are not subject to the registration, licensing or insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles. Class 1 and 2 ebikes may ride on bicycle paths.

Class 1: eBikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph. Class 2: eBikes that also have a maximum speed of 20 mph, but are throttle-assisted. Class 3: eBikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph.

Who can operate an e-bike in California? There are no age restrictions on Class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Riders must be at least 16 to operate a Class 3 e-bike, and all Class 3 riders must wear helmets.

Riding an e-bike

Helmet use is not legally required. It is possible to ride an e-bike anywhere regular bike use is permitted, including on roads, green lanes and cycle lanes.