NJ E-Bike Crackdown: Will Governor Murphy Sign the Nation’s Strictest License & Insurance Bill?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, New Jersey is on the verge of passing the most restrictive e-bike law in the United States. A controversial bill (S4834/A6235) requiring e-bike riders to carry a driver’s license, registration, and insurance is currently sitting on Governor Phil Murphy’s desk, awaiting a high-stakes signature or veto.
With Murphy’s term ending tomorrow, January 20, 2026, the fate of thousands of New Jersey commuters and young riders hangs in the balance.
What’s in the Bill? A Total Overhaul of E-Bike Rules or Just Another State Money Grab?
If signed, the legislation would dismantle the three-tier classification system used by 46 other states and replace it with a “motorized bicycle” designation for almost all electric bikes.
Key Requirements Under the New Bill:
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Driver’s License: Anyone 17 or older must have a valid driver’s license to operate any e-bike (even low-speed pedal-assist models).
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Age Limits & Permits: Minors under 15 are barred from riding. 15- and 16-year-olds would be required to obtain a specialized permit.
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Insurance & Registration: Owners must register their bikes with the MVC (New Jersey’s DMV) and, in many cases, carry liability insurance.
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Online Sales Ban: In a move that has stunned the industry, the bill includes a one-year ban on online e-bike sales within the state.
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Night Riding: Prohibits riding from dusk to dawn without specific reflectors.
The “Safety vs. Access” Debate
The Supporters: Senate President Nicholas Scutari, the bill’s primary sponsor, introduced the measure following a tragic rise in fatal e-bike crashes. Supporters argue that high-speed “e-motos” are being marketed as bikes, leading to unlicensed teens zipping through neighborhoods at dangerous speeds.
The Critics: Advocacy groups like the NJ Bike Coalition and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign have slammed the bill as “punitive” and “anti-immigrant.” They argue it creates a massive barrier for low-income residents who rely on e-bikes for work (like delivery drivers) and for the 600,000 New Jerseyans who do not have a driver’s license.
“This is a huge administrative burden for the people who would most benefit from this transportation,” says Corey Hannigan of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
Will Murphy Sign or Veto?
Governor Murphy has stayed quiet on his intentions. However, the clock is ticking. Because it is his final day in office, if he does not sign the bill by tomorrow, it could face a “pocket veto,” effectively killing the legislation for this session.
The Economic Impact: Local bike shops are also sounding the alarm. Over 300 NJ retailers fear the licensing and insurance hurdles—coupled with a ban on online sales—will decimate the local e-bike market just as the 2026 spring season approaches.
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these contraptions are very dangerous.
MANY times kids ride these things full speed on sidewalks, endangering pedestrians and having near collisions with autos at intersections
This bill is for the lawyers to make sure there is a pot of money for lawsuits.
Ebikes are done in NJ.
I can’t even sell them here….just overnight no one wants to buy them…….when the law goes into affect…….the bikes will be junked.