New Jersey lawmakers have introduced bill S4830, which aims to repeal recent regulations that mandated licensing, registration, and insurance for low-speed electric bicycles. The proposed legislation targets e-bikes with motors rated at 750W or less and a maximum speed of 20 mph, effectively reclassifying them as standard bicycles.
The state previously implemented strict requirements in July following legislation signed by Governor Phil Murphy in January. This law eliminated the existing three-class framework and imposed registration and insurance mandates on all electric bikes, including commuter models. The policy change was intended to address safety concerns following several accidents.
The implementation of the previous law resulted in significant economic consequences for local businesses. Bicycle shops reported sales declines ranging from 20% to 90%, leading to staff layoffs and store closures. Critics noted that the regulations disproportionately affected low-income residents and daily commuters while failing to curb reckless riding on high-powered machines.
The new proposal, sponsored by State Senator Raj Mukherji, seeks to differentiate between low-speed commuter bikes and more powerful electric vehicles. While the bill still requires legislative approval, it represents a shift toward restoring the previous regulatory environment for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which constitute the majority of the market.
