VILLAS — Lower Township Council is reaching out to the highest authority in New Jersey for help with a growing problem regarding use of E-bike and scooters.
Council passed a resolution Aug. 18 urging Gov. Phil Murphy and the Legislature to enact regulations governing the operation of electric bicycles and scooters on public streets and other areas to enhance public safety.
Solicitor Robert Belasco said a state law was signed in 2019 allowing E-bikes and scooters to operate on the streets, highways, roadways and bicycle paths.
“It allows individuals to park these electric bicycles and scooters on the sidewalk as long as they don’t impede pedestrian traffic,” Belasco said, adding that there is the ability for a municipality or county to prohibit the operation of these bicycles on property under its jurisdiction, like bike paths.
There are three tiers of electronic bikes, and operators are required to display identification on the device to classify it by type, speed and top assisted speed, and amount of wattage.
“Now who enforces that is not a question that’s answered by the statute,” Belasco said. “They’re not required to be registered or insured. Tier-three bikes, moped like bikes, are required to be registered.”
Belasco said Lower Township Deputy Police Chief Donald Vanaman inquired with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission about registering the devices, and the MVC reported that they don’t register these types of bikes.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the law seems to indicate that they’re required to do so,” Belasco said. “The thought process there is there’s not a VIN (vehicle identification number) associated with these vehicles.”
Belasco added there are currently bills pending in the Assembly and Senate that would require individuals to register and insure these vehicles.
“Our local assemblyman recently signed as co-sponsor of the bill that is currently in committee,” Belasco said. “The resolution tonight is more or less urging the governor that the New Jersey Legislature take affirmative action to enact legislation to safeguard the roads and how these things operate.”
Until the state makes changes, Belasco said the council’s hands are tied in terms of what they can do. He added that many towns are in the same position.
Mayor Frank Sippel said the meeting was the third in a row during which E-bikes and scooters were discussed.
He added that he recently met with Township Manager Michael Laffey, the solicitor, the police chief and the school resource officer to come up with ideas to keep people safe.
“We’re also looking to introduce an ordinance next meeting to prohibit E-bikes on some of our property in the township,” Sippel said.
He said the police department has a program in which it rewards E-bike safety.
“When the police are out and about and see kids wearing helmets, they give them a ticket for free pizza, hoagies, soda, for the kids,” he said. “There are 19 vendors on the list.”
Providing helmet safety education for parents is important, too, Sippel said. He noted that the multi-prong approach would also include attending back-to-school nights at local schools to encourage safe biking practices and helmet wearing.
“We have a children’s assistance fund that we raise money, we will try to purchase helmets for kids free of charge,” Sippel said. “When the parents don’t have enough money to purchase them.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
