Berkeley Heights Introduces E-Bike Safety Ordinance, Believed to Be First in New Jersey

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. — The Berkeley Heights Township Council introduced an ordinance Tuesday night regulating the use of low-speed electric bicycles, electric scooters and motorized bicycles — and officials believe it may be the first such municipal ordinance in New Jersey in the wake of the new state law.The move comes after months of work by the Complete & Green Streets Committee, the police department, the administration and legal advisors, and follows a string of serious injuries and fatalities involving young riders in neighboring communities."A young person was killed in Princeton last week, which is just a tragedy," said Councilwoman Margaret Illis. "We've had people also being killed in Scotch Plains and other neighboring communities. We don't want that to happen here."What the Ordinance DoesUnder the proposed ordinance, low-speed electric bicycles and scooters — those that do not exceed 20 miles per hour — may not be operated by anyone under the age of 15. The same age restriction applies to motorized bicycles, which can reach up to 28 miles per hour.Licensing and insurance requirements are included, consistent with state law. One area of interpretation remains open — whether insurance is specifically required for low-speed electric bicycles — and the township took the conservative approach of including it."If we have to change that because it gets clarified at the state level, then we will do so," Township Administrator Liza Viana said.For first-time offenders or those who receive warnings, the ordinance creates a pathway to an education program rather than an immediate financial penalty."It isn't listed as a penalty, because it's not a penalty — it's an education program," Illis said. "So we can require it, and it doesn't have to be stated as such."One provision specifically targets a problem that residents and officials say has become particularly dangerous — shopping center parking lots."That's been a big problem," Illis said. Under the ordinance, private property owners that are generally open to the public, such as shopping centers, can post signage restricting or controlling these vehicles — and once they do, the Berkeley Heights Police Department can enforce the ordinance on that private property.Unsafe Riding Is Already HappeningCouncil members and residents alike did not hold back in describing what they have been seeing on local streets and in public spaces.Unsafe riding was defined as popping wheelies, riding diagonally across traffic, operating the vehicles on athletic fields and tearing through shopping center parking lots."Speak to your kids," said Council Vice President Susan Poage. She described a close call pulling out of a parking lot near La Rosa's."This kid comes right behind me," she said. "If my car didn't stop automatically, I would have hit him — and he yelled and told me to shut up."Residents were reminded that the right response when witnessing unsafe riding is simple: call the police.Carolyn George, who serves as Associate Recreation Director, did not mince words when describing what she has witnessed firsthand."I have called," George said, noting she has already contacted police about riders going from Lower Columbia up the hill and onto the Annie Young softball field. She urged other residents to do the same."If somebody is misbehaving on an electric bike, should residents call the police?" she asked directly.The answer from the dais was unequivocal: yes."If you ever see anyone breaking the law, call the police," a council member responded.George also raised a question about accountability — whether an education class for violations would require a parent to attend alongside the child."Once a parent has to do it, it gets enforced more than if it's just the child," she said. Council members agreed it was a point worth making to the police department.State Registration Not Yet AvailableWhile the age restrictions take effect immediately, the state's registration process for these vehicles is not yet up and running."When it is available, we will certainly shout it from the rooftops and put it on the website," Illis said.The township plans an extensive social media campaign and will communicate through the schools and local media to get the word out.Resident Steve Carrellas, who serves as vice chair of the Complete & Green Streets Committee and attended state-level hearings on the legislation, praised the final version of the ordinance as well-crafted and easier to read than earlier drafts. He flagged one remaining issue — a potential conflict between the ordinance's insurance language for low-speed e-bikes and the actual state statute — but noted the administration is already aware and working on it.A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal complex.