Fair Lawn Scooter Crash Hospitalizes 12-Year-Old—Is New Jersey Doing Enough to Protect Kids on E-Bikes and Scooters?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fair Lawn NJ, The dangers of electric scooters and bikes for young riders in New Jersey continue to mount, following a concerning crash in Fair Lawn, Bergen County, last week.
Police confirmed that a 12-year-old pre-teen was hospitalized with a head injury after his electric scooter collided with the rear of a parked 2023 Subaru on Warren Road around 10:03 p.m. on September 17. The child was transported to Hackensack Medical Center for treatment.
This serious incident is the latest in a troubling wave of accidents involving minors on motorized personal vehicles across the state, urgently calling into question safety awareness and the enforcement of current NJ e-mobility laws.
A Deadly September for Young Riders
The Fair Lawn crash is part of a heartbreaking trend this month, highlighting the severe risks children face on these devices:
- Tragedy in Scotch Plains: Just last week, a 13-year-old child riding a motorized bike was tragically struck and killed by a landscaping truck.
- Parsippany Accident: Earlier on the same day as the fatal Scotch Plains incident, a 12-year-old in Parsippany was also hit by a Subaru while on an electric scooter and was taken to the hospital.
These repeated incidents underscore the vulnerability of young riders, who are often sharing roads with full-sized motor vehicles.
What Parents Need to Know About NJ E-Scooter Laws
The recent crashes reinforce the warnings issued by law enforcement across the state. Police departments, including those in Montvale, Bergen County, have been actively working to educate the public on safety, going so far as to release a video last month showing a teen e-bike rider flipping over a car in a dramatic collision.
New Jersey law on low-speed electric scooters (under 19 mph) and low-speed e-bikes (under 20 mph) specifies critical rules for minors:
- Helmets are REQUIRED: Any rider under the age of 17 operating a low-speed electric scooter or e-bike must wear a helmet.
- Road Rules Apply: Riders have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers and must obey all traffic lights, signs, and signals.
- Sidewalks: While low-speed electric scooters may be ridden on public streets, bike lanes, and paved bikeways, municipalities can and often do restrict or prohibit riding on sidewalks.
The reality is that while these devices offer fun and convenience, children may lack the necessary road experience, judgment, and physical development to safely navigate traffic, especially at night (the Fair Lawn accident occurred after 10:00 p.m.).
A Call for Greater Vigilance and Enforcement
Police are urging parents and guardians in Fair Lawn, Bergen County, and across New Jersey to take immediate steps to ensure their children are not only wearing helmets but also fully understand traffic laws and the extreme risk of riding on public roads, especially after dark.
The increase in serious injuries and fatalities related to e-mobility devices signals a clear and present danger that requires a united community response—from stronger law enforcement visibility to critical discussions at home about safety.
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Another Phil Murphy disaster.
10:03 PM. There you go. Parents, seriously?