Opinion: New Jersey’s E-Bike Insurance Proposal Would Have Chilling Effect on Micromobility

“On Thursday, the New Jersey Senate's Transportation Committee is holding a hearing about bill S2292, which would require riders of low-speed electric bikes and scooters to register their vehicles with the state and carry liability insurance to cover themselves and anyone else who might be harmed in the event of a crash.”

According to Streetsblog USA’s Kea Wilson, the insurance doesn’t even exist yet—and the law could have a ‘chilling effect’ on all micromobility modes, including human-powered ones like bicycles. “Serious crashes involving those modes are so relatively rare, though — the National Transportation Safety Board recorded just 119 e-bike-involved fatalities between 2017 and 2021 vs. the 192,709 caused by drivers — so advocates say the legislation would do little more than increase already-steep barriers to human-scaled mobility posed by traffic violence, while undermining the climate, equity, and safety goals that low-speed modes can help communities reach.”

In Europe, e-bikes aren’t held to the same requirements as higher-speed vehicles because they are “not propelled exclusively by mechanical power.” Advocates argue New Jersey and other states should update the definition of ‘pedestrian’ to include low-speed mobility options rather than require insurance similar to motor vehicles.

Matt Moore, general policy counsel for People for Bikes, says the bill could set a dangerous precedent: “because pedal bikes are actually ridden faster on average than e-bikes because they attract more fit and athletic riders, New Jersey might someday argue that riders who don't use pedal-assist should carry insurance, too — and other communities could all too easily follow suit.”