In recent years, the popularity of electric bikes, or e-bikes, has grown exponentially across the United States, providing an efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. However, this surge in e-bike usage has not been without its challenges, particularly concerning minors who often use these bikes without adequate supervision or adherence to safety regulations.

Berkeley Heights, NJ, is no exception to this trend. The streets of our town see increasing numbers of minors riding e-bikes, sometimes at high speeds, and frequently without helmets or proper safety gear. This risky behavior not only endangers the lives of these young riders but poses significant threats to pedestrians, other cyclists, and motorists. National and New Jersey statistics show a sharp rise in accidents and injuries, especially among minors, often with severe consequences. Neighboring towns have already enacted successful ordinances to address the issue, providing strong precedents for responsible local action.

Recent Local/Statewide Incidents: Recent weeks in New Jersey saw multiple fatalities:

• A 13-year-old in Scotch Plains and a 22-year-old in Orange, both involving e-bike crashes.
• In Westfield, a child was hospitalized after crashing on an e-bike on local roads.
• A 14-year-old in Somers Point died in July in a similar incident.
• National research found e-bike injuries among children surged 293%, with those 10–13 years old making up over 44% of all cases and helmet use among young e-bike riders notably low.

Currently, there is no comprehensive local regulation that addresses the age and safety requirements for e-bike riders in Berkeley Heights. This gap in regulation leaves our community vulnerable to accidents that can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities. We believe that the implementation of specific e-bike regulations for minors is imperative to safeguard our community.

Therefore, We, the residents of Berkeley Heights, respectfully urge the local authorities (Berkeley Heights Township Council, Mayor, and Police Department) at Berkeley Heights, NJ to:

Enact and Enforce Clear E-Bike Rules Based on Proven Precedents

• Sidewalks: Prohibit the operation of ALL e-bikes and e-scooters on public sidewalks and pedestrian paths, regardless of rider age, mirroring Summit and Florham Park’s protocols.
• Helmets: Strictly enforce the helmet requirement for all riders under 17, with fines for non-compliance borne by parents, progressing from warnings to financial penalties.
• Speed Limits: Mandate e-bikes used by minors must perform under 20 mph; bikes capable of higher speeds require registration and licensing per New Jersey state law.

Recordkeeping, Parental Accountability, and Community Safety

• Parental Registration: Require all e-bikes used by minors to be registered with the township, capturing parent/guardian information for accountability.
• Central Database: Maintain a confidential registry of all minor-operated e-bikes and enforce check-ins for updates—especially when violations occur.
• Progressive Penalties & Community Service: Start with a warning for first violations; escalate to fines up to $500 for parents and require community service or safety education classes for repeat youth offenders (within statutory limits).
• Confiscation: Enable temporary impoundment of e-bikes for blatant or repeat unsafe behaviors, released only to parents or guardians.

Infrastructure and Education:

• Bike Lanes: Establish and mark dedicated bike lanes wherever feasible, to protect both e-bike riders and other road users.
• Education & Awareness: Launch a community campaign, working with schools and parent-teacher organizations, to promote bike safety, helmet use, and respect for pedestrians.
• Emergency Response Considerations: Recognize that Berkeley Heights’ police, fire, and EMS are volunteer-based, underscoring the need to prevent avoidable accidents that strain local resources.

Enforcement & Reporting

• Enforcement: Ensure regular patrols in known problem areas and encourage community reporting of violations.
• Incident Reporting: Require that all accidents involving minors and e-bikes be reported and tracked, to help guide ongoing policymaking.

Reference Points:

Neighboring NJ Town Precedents:

• Summit, NJ: All bikes and e-bikes are banned from sidewalks and pedestrian pathways. Fines can reach $500; devices may be confiscated and returned only to parents.
• Florham Park, NJ: E-bikes must stay off sidewalks, obey road rules, and not exceed 25 mph. Fines for parents can reach $1,000 after repeat child violations; immediate fines for riders start at $250. Devices can be impounded.
• Other towns in New Jersey are rapidly adopting such ordinances as both accidents and community concerns spike.

New Jersey Law Overview:

• Riders under 17 are required by law to wear helmets.
• E-bikes must not obstruct pedestrians when parked on sidewalks; riding on sidewalks is generally prohibited, except in municipal exceptions for children under 13 in limited situations.
• All traffic laws apply to e-bikes on the road, and for e-bikes over 20 mph, registration and licensing are required.
• Penalties for helmet or rules violations generally start with warnings, followed by fines for parents ($25 to $100 for repeat offenses).