By Jaimie Julia Winters
As New Jersey rolls out one of the nation’s most restrictive e-bike laws, Kearny officials are moving quickly to educate residents and prepare for enforcement—while some riders say the new rules may push them off the road entirely.
The law requires all e-bike riders to obtain a license, register their bikes with the Motor Vehicle Commission, carry liability insurance, and wear a DOT-approved helmet. Riders must be at least 15 years old, and younger teens (15-plus) must complete a multi-step permitting process.
In Kearny, officials say the changes come amid growing safety concerns.
“We have had a number of people injured by e-bikes riding fast on sidewalks and streets in recent years,” said Lt. Michal Gontarczuk of the Kearny Police Department, pointing to sidewalk riding and weaving through traffic as persistent problems.
The town will hold an educational event on how traffic laws apply to all residents. The new law will be covered on June 25, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Kearny High School.
The town had already taken action before the state law passed. In November 2024, Kearny established local ordinances governing e-bike use after a rise in daily calls ranging from nuisance and traffic complaints to serious crashes with injuries, according to Capt. David Rakowski, Traffic Bureau commander.
A recent fatal crash involving an e-bike rider and a pedestrian has added urgency to the issue.
On Feb. 11, Miguel Aguilar, 44, of Harrison, was riding an unregistered motorized bicycle without a valid license when he struck and killed a 72-year-old pedestrian on Kearny Avenue between Bergen Avenue and Afton Street, authorities said.
With the state law in effect, the town is expanding its response.
“For now, the Kearny Police Department has deployed message boards with a PSA notifying the general public about the upcoming changes in the law,” Rakowski said. “In addition, the COP Officers in the schools are speaking with the students to make sure they are aware of the new laws. We are also planning on posting information on social media, and having pamphlets printed containing all of the changes.”
Kearny does not operate its own e-bike registration system, but riders will be required to register and insure their bikes through the state. Local ordinances add another layer of regulation, including a prohibition on storing e-bikes inside residences.
Penalties for violations can be steep. Under Township Ordinance 4-30.6, fines range from $100 to $300 and can climb as high as $1,200. Parents may also be held responsible for violations committed by minors.
Whether those measures will improve safety — or discourage ridership — remains a point of debate.
Just last week, two 13-year-old teens were sent to the hospital after falling from a fast-moving e-bike near the oval. They sustained cuts, bruises, and scrapes on their bodies, and appeared to have also suffered concussions, according to the police report. In addition to being underage, riding double is also illegal under the new law. No summonses were issued, however, according to police.
Laura Coppola, a Kearny resident who used her e-bike for commuting and recreation, supports the intent behind the law but not its cost.
“I absolutely think it will create safety,” she said. “Holding the person responsible for their vehicle — if they hit or damage someone else — they will be held accountable.”
Still, she plans to stop riding altogether.
“I don’t want to have to register and pay insurance on yet another vehicle,” Coppola said. “I plan on selling my e-bike.”
Her decision reflects broader concerns raised by advocacy groups, including PeopleForBikes, which has called the law overly burdensome and confusing. Critics argue it could undermine the accessibility that made e-bikes popular in the first place, particularly for short commutes and errands.
There are also lingering questions about implementation. Advocacy organizations note that it remains unclear how certain requirements — especially insurance for lower-speed e-bikes — will be enforced, and whether a grace period will be honored as riders adjust.
In Kearny, enforcement could come quickly. While police continue their outreach efforts, the law is already in effect, meaning riders could face stops or citations even as the rollout continues.
For local officials, the goal is clear: safer streets.
For some riders, the cost of that safety may be giving up e-bikes altogether.
Residents seeking more information on the new requirements can visit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website at nj.gov/mvc/vehicletopics/ebike.htm.
Feature photo: Image by Surprising_Media from Pixabay
