New Jersey Would Be Foolish To Require E-Bike Insurance & Registration

[6zfshdb]

As far as those cheap ebike minimotos, if the importation of hose are stopped within a couple of years we won't have a problem because they will have become garbage.

This is an excellent solution on a national level. Unfortunately, states like NJ do not have the power to ban imports and have to pass meaningless laws.

 

[Gionnirocket]

This is an excellent solution on a national level. Unfortunately, states like NJ do not have the power to ban imports and have to pass meaningless laws.

The problem is... How do you define them?
And even if you ban throttles they will make them ghost pedal machines.
In this day of body and dash cameras, it's a lot easier to prove reckless behavior. Confiscate on first offense then add community service as a punishment.

 

[RunForTheHills]

There are plenty of laws already on the books to solve this problem. Cities just need enforcement. Bicycles have to obey the same laws as cars on the street. Exhibition of speed is how they calm down the street racers. At least in California. Years ago I had a friend who had a six banger mustang dressed up to look like a real muscle car. He managed to get an exhibition of speed ticket for rev'ing his engine and dropping the clutch at a light despite how anemic the car actually was. He later bragged about it. He's still a friend, but he grew out of that phase.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

This is an excellent solution on a national level. Unfortunately, states like NJ do not have the power to ban imports and have to pass meaningless laws.

You should keep in mind that to elected officials it isn't "meaningless". From their standpoint they are responding to public outcry about a clear and present public safety problem. Whether that is a perceived problem or an actual physical problem is not at all relevant to them.

 

[RunForTheHills]

The problem is that enforcement is at the city and county level, not the state. They want to look like they are doing something about the problem, but the only thing that state law makers can do is make more laws. So that's what they do.

 

[speedub.nate]

You should keep in mind that to elected officials it isn't "meaningless". From their standpoint they are responding to public outcry about a clear and present public safety problem. Whether that is a perceived problem or an actual physical problem is not at all relevant to them.

Tru Dat! The city recently posted on Facebook that a new bike share station was up and running. We already have a hundred locations, so this is nothing new -- these are Lyft bikes / "Baywheels" so some are electric-assist but most are plain-Jane pedal bikes. First reply was some old lady (I checked her profile) complaining "these kids are terrorizing our streets!"

I'm not suggesting that her uneducated reply resulted in any action being taken, but she clearly demonstrates that there is a deep misunderstanding of even what a bicycle is, and the complainers have the loudest voices while everybody else is staying busy enjoying their lives. Just from a common sense perspective, I can't see this New Jersey nonsense going on for very long, but in the time it takes for opposition to organize and sort it all out, there's going to be some pain. I have trust that local bicycle advocacy organizations and the industry are pressing hard for changes to the rules as they are written, but I don't expect anything will happen fast.

 

[PedalUma]

Tru Dat! The city recently posted on Facebook that a new bike share station was up and running. We already have a hundred locations, so this is nothing new -- these are Lyft bikes / "Baywheels" so some are electric-assist but most are plain-Jane pedal bikes. First reply was some old lady (I checked her profile) complaining "these kids are terrorizing our streets!"

I'm not suggesting that her uneducated reply resulted in any action being taken, but she clearly demonstrates that there is a deep misunderstanding of even what a bicycle is, and the complainers have the loudest voices while everybody else is staying busy enjoying their lives. Just from a common sense perspective, I can't see this New Jersey nonsense going on for very long, but in the time it takes for opposition to organize and sort it all out, there's going to be some pain. I have trust that local bicycle advocacy organizations and the industry are pressing hard for changes to the rules as they are written, but I don't expect anything will happen fast.

Bike advocacy groups are already on it.

 

[TPEHAK]

What about one wheels? Those things can fly over 60 mph and even more dangerous because of beside the high speed ability they require strong balancing skill, prone for issues with obstacles, solely rely on electronics and have no effective brakes. Am I free to use them on public roads in NJ without a driver license, insurance and registration with license plate?

 

[Chargeride]

Emotorcycles ride outs are just the new 60s motorbike gangs in kid form.
You could literally take all the media and copy past Harley with Surron.

In the UK its been going on since the 50s.
All thats changed is from gas to electric, my dad used to tear about on an grey area illegal internal gas powered bolt on rear hub without registering it.

Strangely they are still legal if registered, but without licence

In United Kingdom, driving a motorised bicycle with a gasoline motor under 50cc, and max design speed of 30 mph is allowed for persons over 14 years old, NOT requiring a DVLA issued driving licence. All bigger bikes have a minimum age of 17.

Purchasers of new-construction ICE motorized bicycles must meet a host of regulatory requirements and pass inspections from the DVLA and MSVA in order to register such machines for operation on public roadways. Owners must obtain an EC-type Motorcycle Single Vehicle Type Approval Certification (MSVA), and in order to obtain a DVLA-required insurance certificate, must provide proof from the original seller of the bicycle and engine that both the bicycle and the engine are new and unused. ICE motorized bicycles that are amateur-built and meet MSVA safety and regulatory standards,[28] and which meet the definition of low powered mopeds (engines of proven output of less than 1 kW (1.34 hp) and capable of 25 km/h (16 mph) or less) face considerably fewer regulatory requirements.[29

So I could fit a gas engine to my bike and ride it without a licence?
16mph and insta refills.

 

[Delverc]

I get why people are worried. Extra costs and paperwork could push folks away from e-bikes. I’d rather see clearer rules around safe riding instead of fees that hit regular riders hardest.

 

[TPEHAK]

They just forced the kids to sit home playing video games instead of going outside riding e bikes and doomed the next generation for less healthier existence ultimately killing more people just different way making their life shorter and darker.

 

[stompandgo]

They just forced the kids to sit home playing video games instead of going outside riding e bikes and doomed the next generation for less healthier existence ultimately killing more people just different way making their life shorter and darker.

They could walk or ride an analog bike like we all grew up doing.

 

[Gionnirocket]

They just forced the kids to sit home playing video games instead of going outside riding e bikes and doomed the next generation for less healthier existence ultimately killing more people just different way making their life shorter and darker.

Too many people on the planet anyway.
In other news... I heard NJ is at the top of the list for the first Soylent Green factory

 

[Chargeride]

Im reading that Flowrider and Cali are looking for insurance and registration from class2 upwards, but thats just info from youtube.

 

[6zfshdb]

They could walk or ride an analog bike like we all grew up doing.

I agree.

The problem is, these kids in NJ, and many other places as well, have already been breaking the law by riding these high power bikes. It's compounded by the parents who buy them thinking they ARE bicycles. What makes anyone think these kids won't break the new law as well? Passing unenforceable laws isn't the answer.

A similar situation happened in PA. about 20 years ago when 3 and 4 wheeled ATV's first became popular. It seemed like every kid on the block had one, even though there was no place to ride them legally. They were even using them to get to school and getting hurt by riding recklessly. Laws were passed but just ignored. The problem was solved when the police began seizing & impounding every one they saw on the street. Impound lots were full of them and they weren't released until the parents paid a hefty fine.

Sure, there was a lot of backlash and the laws challenged, but they ultimately solved the problem. The only difference here is, there was no contingent of legal ATV riders to take the heat, like what the legal e-bike owners are facing now.

 

[sc00ter]

I saw, and survived, the great moped crackdown in the late 90's. Those cool little pedal pop 2-cycle mopeds used to be ridden by anyone. No helmet or insurance required. They were restricted to 35mph and it took a lot to make them faster without seizing. When the humble moped fell out of fashion in the late 70's and starting rotting on garages in the early 80's, little brothers would put 'em back on the road. Or you could buy one from a yard sale for $50. It was the wild west and so much (reckless) fun! Eventually the state made us register/tag them. And a helmet is now required, yet no insurance? But its cheap enough and most insurance companies will insure a moped. So overall I just see this as a inconvenient speed bump that we ebike owners have to deal with. Only the most dedicated police officer will run a speed radar on us.

So just consider us the next moped generation. The fun and lawlessness is over. I'll still own a ebike and might even get another moped one day. Yes, I think the coming laws need to be dialed in a bit better but it is what it is.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

They just forced the kids to sit home playing video games instead of going outside riding e bikes and doomed the next generation for less healthier existence ultimately killing more people just different way making their life shorter and darker.

I have to question how much exercise someone gets riding an e-motorcycle.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Passing unenforceable laws isn't the answer.

My problem is that, like you observed, the logical end state of our situation here is that all e-bikes will be banned and they will all be impounded on sight, with hefty fines. Local police departments will love that because it will make e-bike enforcement a profit center. Another profit center. And the next logical step will be impounding cars with e-bikes on a rear rack. Because car impounds make them more money than an e-bike impound.

 

[Nvreloader]

Western Nevada
"We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken,
society is guilty, rather than the lawbreaker,
It is time to restore the American precept,
that each individual is accountable for their actions."