A N.J. legislator is addressing the dangers of motorized bikes and the series of recent fatalities associated with electric bike accidents.
Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-22nd Dist., announced he will be introducing a new bill to make electric bike riding safer for users. He said he hopes it’s addressed this fall when the legislators goes back into session.
“These bikes go at extraordinary speeds and many times don’t follow the laws,” said Scutari on the steps of Scotch Plain’s town hall on Wednesday. “We need to provide guidance… we need to revisit how we regulate e-bikes in our communities.”
Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded announced at the conference that officials will be banning motorized bikes in county parks, until they can make riding safer.
This action will be codified at the next commissioner’s meeting on Oct. 16, to update the county’s ordinance.
A week ago, a 13-year-old boy died in Scotch Plains after a landscaping truck struck him while he was riding his electric bike. Nico Lombardi was an eighth grade student at Nettingham Middle School.
Scutari says the “skyrocketing” increase in motorized bike users, especially in young people, is cause for clearer rules and regulations. This may include looking at re-classifying the bikes, restricting speed limits and ensuring safer traffic navigation.
“Something has to be done in order to draw attention to this extraordinarily new mode of transportation that is lending additional dangers to those folks traversing these roadways,” said Scutari.
Gov. Phil Murphy’s office told NJ Advance Media the administration is in support of electric bike reform, after the recent accidents.
“Given the recent deaths of children involved in e-bike crashes in New Jersey, the Governor believes that more must be done to regulate the use of e-bikes statewide,” said Stella Porter, a spokesperson for the governor.
READ MORE: 2 e-bike riders killed in a week. N.J. scrambles to address ‘dangerous’ and ‘fast-growing trend’
“We look forward to working with legislative leadership to address this public safety issue in the upcoming legislative session,” Porter added.
When asked about his previous attempts to address concerns for electric bike safety, Scutari says, while unfortunate, he thinks the recent accidents will spark awareness about the need for more safety precautions.
Scutari said it can be difficult to pass legislation on this when insurance companies are involved. He said he does not want the state’s taxpayers covering the medical bills associated with these accidents and hopes to satisfy all parties to make this bill happen.
Victoria Gladstone
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