RELEASE: Ahead of July 19 Effective Date, Gottheimer Hosts Virtual Briefing with Motor Vehicles on NJ’s New E-Bike Laws Taking Effect

Above: Gottheimer addresses the questions of North Jersey families.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, June 30, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a virtual briefing with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to help families, riders, and business owners across North Jersey understand New Jersey’s new e-bike law. The new rules take effect on July 19, 2026, and require registration, licensing, and insurance statewide.

Watch the full briefing here. 

Access the new MVC E-bike requirements here.

The briefing brought together MVC officials to answer critical questions from across the District and discuss the rapid rise of e-bike use, the growing number of crashes and injuries among young riders, and what residents need to know before the new law goes into effect and ride safely.

During the discussion, participants were presented with the scope of the new state requirements. They answered questions from families, riders, and local business owners about how registration, licensing, and insurance will work under the new law.

New Jersey’s new E-Bike rules taking effect July 19th in New Jersey:

• Defines “E-bike” — Low-Speed Electric Bicycles (pedal-assist only, up to 20 mph) and Motorized Bicycles/Mopeds (engine under 50cc, pedal-assist up to 28 mph, or throttle-assist up to 15 mph).
• Age & Licensing Requirements — Riders must be at least 15 years old and hold either an e-bike license or a valid driver’s license. Renters of low-speed e-bikes (under 21 mph) must be at least 16, with no license required.
• Licensing Process: Riders must study the state’s Driver and E-bike/Moped manuals, pass a knowledge and vision test for a permit, practice riding during a supervised period, then pass a road test (scheduled 20–45 days after permit validation) to receive their e-bike license.
• Registration — All e-bikes must be registered with the NJ MVC, regardless of type.
• Registration Process — Owners must schedule an MVC appointment, complete Form BA-49EB, present 6 points of ID or a valid NJ driver’s license/non-driver ID, provide proof of ownership, show proof of insurance (if applicable), and affix license plate stickers to both sides of the e-bike’s front fork.
• Insurance — Only motorized bicycles/mopeds require insurance; low-speed electric bicycles do not, but still must be registered.
• Fees — The $5 e-bike permit examination fee will be waived until January 2027.
• Minors — Riders under 18 must have a parent or guardian present, or submit a signed parental consent form, during the registration and licensing process.
• Retailers — E-bike sellers are required to make registration forms available to all purchasers at the point of sale.

“Look, I used to pedal my bike around the neighborhood as a kid, and I still do, but more and more people are riding e-bikes these days, and the trend keeps growing,” said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). “If used properly, e-bikes can be a safe, fun, and effective way to get around. But, just like driving a car, we need to make sure people, especially younger riders, are taking the right precautions.”

Gottheimer pointed to a string of recent tragedies in New Jersey, including a teenager struck and killed by a UPS truck in Southampton Township and a high school freshman struck and killed by a vehicle while riding an e-bike in Middletown, both this month, as well as a thirteen-year-old in Westfield who suffered a serious head injury after crashing last August. Nationwide, e-bike injuries surged 293% from 2019 to 2022, and hospitals have treated more than 53,000 e-bike-related injuries since 2017. According to the NIH, the age group most commonly affected by e-bike injuries is children between 10 and 13 years old, who wear helmets less and are hospitalized at significantly higher rates than children riding regular bikes or mopeds.

Gottheimer concluded, “The more informed our communities are, the better chance we have of preventing the next crash before it happens. I’m grateful for the collaboration and support from the state motor vehicles in bringing this information directly to families across my District.”

Gottheimer was joined by MVC Chief Administrator Rosalie Johnson and MVC Director of Legislative Affairs Chris Hillman for today’s virtual briefing.

###