Electric-powered ‘e-bike.’ (Credit: Kārlis Dambrāns/ CC/ Flickr)
Accidents involving electric-powered bicycles, commonly known as “e-bikes,” are increasing, with police department attributing an uptick in injuries and crashes to operators of the bikes using them unsafely – or in scenarios where they are not appropriate.
The increase in crashes has led the Brick police department to work with the township council’s public safety committee to develop a new ordinance within the traffic code that regulates the use of e-bikes in town. That ordinance was introduced last week and will be the subject of a public hearing and second vote at a future meeting before final adoption.
“With the rising popularity of the use of electric powered bicycles, the Brick police department is seeing a rise in motor vehicle crashes, resulting in serious injuries involving these types of bicycles,” said Councilman Derrick Ambrosino. “Most of these crashes are at the fault of the operators of the electric-powered bicycles.”
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The ordinance begins by defining the difference between “low speed electric bicycles” and “motorized bicycles,” which are two different classes of vehicles. Low-speed electric bikes have either fully operable pedals or fully-assisted driving, and are powered by an electric motor with less than 750 watts of power. Both provide assistance to the rider until the bicycle reaches 20 m.p.h. By contrast, “motorized bicycles” are defined as those with a helper motor of 50 ccs or less, or are powered by no more than 1.5 brake horsepower. It also includes any bicycle that is capable of a maximum speed of 25 m.p.h. or less, or powered by a motor that can help it reach 28 m.p.h. or less, maximum.
What’s In the Law?
First, pursuant to state law, no “e-bikes” may operate on Interstate highways, four-lane highways divided by a grass or concrete median, highways with a speed limit over 50 m.p.h., railroads or other areas designated off-limits by the state (such as parks) or individual towns.
In Brick, the ordinance requires riders of all e-bikes to adhere to all of the traditional traffic regulations that drivers of other vehicles must follow, including stopping at stop signs and red lights, riding on the right side of the road, and “exercising due care” when coming near other vehicles.
Another requirement mandates that e-bikes have reflectors in both the front and back; if the bike is used at nighttime, it must be equipped with a white lamp on the front and a red lamp on the back, both capable of being seen for 500 feet. All e-bikes must be equipped with a horn or bell capable of being heard 100 feet away.
No one under age 17 may operator an e-bike without a helmet, and no one under the age of 14 may operate an e-bike on a sidewalk.
Riding rules include a prohibition on hooking an e-bike to a traditional vehicle to attain greater speed, or to be hitched to a second e-bike. Passengers are not allowed unless the e-bile has a designated seat or an accessory seat allowed under state law.
Low-speed electric bicycles will be prohibited from all township parks and recreation areas, including Windward Beach, Traders Cove Marina, or the Sawmill or Airport trails. The prohibition includes all of the township’s neighborhood and destination parks, which are included in the text of the ordinance embedded below.
Motorized wheelchairs and toys – such as “Power Wheels” children’s toys – are exempt from the ordinance, assuming the maximum speed is 3 m.p.h. or below.
Those who violate the ordinance will be subject to a $50 penalty for the first offense and $100 for additional offenses. A court appearance will be required for those who are cited a third time or more.
The public hearing and second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for the Dec. 10, 2024 council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in the municipal complex.
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