Governor Murphy , “Reimagining of Urban Commuting.”

Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Permitting Operation of Low Speed E-Bikes and Motorized Scooters

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ, As Governor Phil Murphy continues working to bolster New Jersey’s innovation economy, he signed legislation today (S731) that outlines regulations governing the use of low speed electric scooters and e-bikes.

The bill calls for motorized scooters and e-bikes capable of traveling 20 miles per hour or slower to be regulated much the same as ordinary bicycles, allowing their operation on streets, highways, and bicycle paths in this State. An operator of a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized scooter is not required to register the scooter or e-bike, furnish proof of insurance, or have a driver’s license. The bill further provides that all statutes, rules, and regulations that apply to ordinary bicycles will apply to low-speed electric bicycles and motorized scooters.

This legislation will help encourage the use of sharing platforms that enable individuals to rent motorized scooters and e-bikes for short intervals as an alternative to an automobile trip.

Primary sponsors of the bill were Senator Linda Greenstein, Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, and Assemblyman Jamel Holley.

“Electric bicycles and motorized scooters offer a fantastic alternative to cars and their use will serve to cut both emissions and congestion in our cities,” said Governor Murphy. “As we seek to support New Jersey’s Innovation Economy, this bill will help encourage a true reimagining of urban commuting.”