TRENTON — After many local municipalities adopted regulations on E-bikes, mostly requiring riders to follow the rules of the road and wear helmets, the state finally followed suit with sweeping new rules aimed at increasing safety.
As one of his last acts in the Statehouse, former Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new E-bike safety law Jan. 19 that sets a minimum age for operation and requires licensing, registration and insurance.
Jay Gillian, mayor of Ocean City — where the vehicles have caused havoc on the busy streets and along the crowded boardwalk — applauded the law’s passage.
“A lot of vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians share Ocean City’s roads. It’s a dangerous mix, given the speed and sometimes recklessness of E-bike operators old and young,” he stated in a news release the following day. “Public safety will always remain a top priority for this administration and for America’s Greatest Family Resort. Protecting young riders is especially important. ”
Gillian said he would be meeting with his senior staff to determine what the rules mean for the city’s popular oceanfront boardwalk and working with City Council to implement anything that’s required.
Dennis Tapp, mayor of Somers Point — where a teen was killed July 16, 2025, when his E-bike collided with a car at the intersection of the bike path and Maryland Avenue — likewise was pleased with the law.
“I applaud the governor to have the courage to sign that legislation,” he said. “I truly believe this is long-overdue and long-overlooked.”
Tapp believes the law will force parents to think twice before buying their children one of the vehicles.
“What that’s going to do is make parents more cognizant of the dangers — they are now liable for all of this,” he said. “I think parents will take a greater role than just ordering online and saying, ‘Here you go, have fun.’”
Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock said that the city was having some issues with the E-bikes and he feels the age restriction is a big plus.
“Do you want 13-year-old kids on E-bikes?” asked the father of three children — 11, 9 and 7. “I do think that’s a serious safety concern.”
The law treats all classes of E-bikes the same. Previously, they were divided into three categories. Class 1 — pedal-assisted and able to reach a maximum speed of 20 mph. Class 2 — both pedal-assist and a throttle with a maximum speed of 20 mph. Class 3 — pedal-assist up to 28 mph and throttle up to 20 mph; legally treated like motorized bicycles.
Riders now must be at least 15 years old, wear a helmet and have a license, registration and insurance. A motorized bicycle license requires passing written and road tests. Riders 17 and older need only a traditional driver’s license.
Owners will have six months to meet the new requirements, meaning shore towns should see some relief this summer. Licensing and registration fees will be waived for one year.
“Nobody likes more red tape, but the benefits of the new law far outweigh the inconvenience of the new registration requirements,” Gillian said. “Our Community Policing Unit will begin sharing the requirements with students in Ocean City schools, and they will continue to enforce the law.”
Somers Point City Council voted Dec. 18, 2025, to adopt E-bike rules. All three classes of E-bikes were prohibited on sidewalks and city facilities but Class 1 and Class 2 were permitted on the bike path, which is used extensively by youths traveling to Mainland Regional High School. It was unclear how the law would affect the city’s regulations.
Cape May City Council joined Lower Township and its neighbors on Cape Island when it passed an ordinance Nov. 17 regulating the operation of E-bikes and scooters.
Mullock said the vehicles already were banned on the oceanfront Promenade.
“They’re silent and very quick. Unfortunately, that does not do well on the Promenade,” he said.
The mayor supports the requirement for licensing and registration but questioned the need for insurance, although he noted that the vehicles are getting faster as the technology evolves.
“The technology is only getting better and better,” he said.
Aside from safety issues, Mullock noted the vehicles have been used increasingly in thefts.
He said registration should help in that regard, assuming there would be some type of number displayed.
“We have cameras on the bridges. If you come into town and commit a crime, there’s a solid chance we are going to catch you,” he said. “E-bikes did not have license plates, and I think people caught on to that.”
Mullock said the city was seeing quick thefts in which they could see the perpetrator but could not identify the vehicle and trace it to the suspect.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Cape May Star and Wave
