Zeke Weston, the policy coordinator for New Jersey Future, voiced his concerns over a proposed bill requiring low-speed e-bikes to be registered and insured. In a statement issued on May 22, he said that this legislation would increase the cost of using these bikes, thereby discouraging their use and impeding New Jersey's climate goals.
"With the additional expense of insurance and registration, e-bikes will no longer serve as an equitable transportation alternative," said Weston. "Now is the time to encourage clean transit options, not to create barriers to access them. Affordable and environmentally friendly transportation options, like e-bikes, are critical tools for reaching New Jersey's emission reduction goals. By requiring e-bike owners to insure and register their bikes, Senate Bill S2292 will erect unnecessary financial hurdles, and decrease the adoption and ownership of e-bikes throughout the state."
The proposed bill, S2292, is sponsored by Senate President Nicholas Scutari. It mandates that low-speed e-bikes and electric scooters be insured and registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, according to a copy of the bill. The legislation encompasses class 1 and class 2 low-speed e-bikes which do not exceed speeds of 20 mph.
New Jersey Future was among forty national, regional, statewide, and local organizations that formed a coalition in opposition to S2292. According to a press release from the coalition, they held a rally on May 22 expressing their apprehensions about the potential impacts of the bill. These include making e-bike usage more expensive, obstructing the state’s environmental objectives, and compromising public safety efforts by potentially prompting more people to drive cars instead of using e-bikes.
The addition of insurance could significantly increase the financial burden associated with owning an e-bike. The latest Consumer Price Index summary reveals that motor vehicle insurance costs rose by 22.6% over the past year.
Small Town Bike Co., asserts that e-bikes are more environmentally friendly than many other modes of transportation since they rely on lithium batteries and are thus considered zero-emission vehicles. The batteries typically have a long lifespan resulting in minimal waste production. E-bikes also enable riders to cover larger distances than regular bikes can handle. This means riders can depend on e-bikes for longer trips rather than just short commutes.
According to The Circuit Trails, New Jersey Future is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1987 that advocates for sustainable land-use policies.