Yes. Under the new law, all e-Bike riders must have a driver’s license or a motorized bicycle license.
Upway Analysis: New Jersey Passes the Strictest E-Bike Laws
Written by: Maxime Renson | January 20, 2026 | Time to read 7 min
New Jersey now requires all e-Bike riders to have licenses, registration, and insurance. Here’s a breakdown of this controversial rule change that has many cycling advocates and riders fuming.
More about the Author: Maxime Renson, General Manager at Upway
Graduated in engineering and business, I spent 6+ years at Uber across six countries before joining Upway’s founding team in 2022 to launch the U.S. business. Outside work, I bike, run, play golf and padel, and swim with my son.
New Jersey has essentially pulled the plug on all electric bikes in the state, unless riders jump through the hoops of licenses, registration, and insurance. Last in line for bill S4834/A6235’s passage, Governor Phil Murphy declined to veto the law, signing the new legislation and slamming the brakes on e-Bikes in the Garden State. The rule changes are most restrictive in the country and are sending shockwaves through the cycling community and bike industry— here’s a look at what the recently passed New Jersey e-Bike law really means and what comes next.
What is the new New Jersey e-Bike law?
On January 19, 2026, outgoing Governor Murphy signed bills S4824 and A6225 into law on his last day in office, significantly altering the laws around electric bikes in New Jersey. The most consequential change is that the state now considers all electric bicycles— including low-speed Class 1 and Class 2— as “motorized bicycles”, which are subject to stricter rules.
The new rules effectively abandon the three-class system used in every US state and reject the federal definition of a “low-speed electric bicycle”, an understanding that has stood for more than 20 years. Instead of keeping e-Bikes in their own category, all electric bikes are now classified as motor vehicles akin to motorcycles and cars, with similar driver’s license, insurance, and registration requirements. And we’re talking all electric bikes here, including the mildest of models, which max out at 20 mph and require the rider to be pedaling to receive assistance.
What does the New Jersey e-Bike law actually say?
Specifically, the bill requires all low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be registered with the NJMotor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and to be insured. It also requires riders to be at least 17 years old with a driver’s license, or 15 years old with a motorized bicycle license.
The bill authorizes the MVC to issue a registration certificate to the owner of a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter, provided that the bicycle or scooter is of a type approved by the NJ MVC. The bill requires the owner or registered owner to maintain liability insurance coverage, personal injury protection coverage for pedestrians, and uninsured motorist coverage.
Basically, electric bike riders will need:
The bill authorizes the MVC to issue a registration certificate to the owner of a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter, provided that the bicycle or scooter is of a type approved by the NJ MVC. The bill requires the owner or registered owner to maintain liability insurance coverage, personal injury protection coverage for pedestrians, and uninsured motorist coverage.
Basically, electric bike riders will need:
- A license
- A registration certificate for the e-Bike
- Insurance
- To be of a minimum age
Riders will have a grace period of roughly six months from the law’s effective date to obtain the necessary insurance, after which law enforcement and fines may apply.
Why did New Jersey enact this new e-Bike law?
New Jersey already has some of the most restrictive e-Bike rules in the country, requiring a license and registration for Class 3 e-Bikes even before the passage of this bill. But electric bikes and their faster, illegal counterparts— “e-motos”— have increasingly been in the news lately due to unfortunate tragedies in which riders, in many cases young teenagers, have died. Yet New Jersey has likely reacted wrongly to these tragedies, missing the mark on how to effectively prevent them in the future.
We’ve discussed the e-moto problem before, and it is these illegal electric motorcycles (with throttles and blistering top speeds) that pose a huge risk and are maiming and injuring kids. However, critics often incorrectly conflate e-motos with legal, slower electric bikes, whether that be in casual conversation or official media outlets. As PeopleForBikes states, the real problem is “parents being misled by online sellers into buying electric motorcycles and electric dirt bikes for their kids”. These vehicles do not meet any safety standards or battery certifications.
These new New Jersey bicycle laws don’t address the actual problem and instead discourage legal, safe e-Bike riding and steer attention away from other traffic safety issues, such as illegal e-motos and cars.
We’ve discussed the e-moto problem before, and it is these illegal electric motorcycles (with throttles and blistering top speeds) that pose a huge risk and are maiming and injuring kids. However, critics often incorrectly conflate e-motos with legal, slower electric bikes, whether that be in casual conversation or official media outlets. As PeopleForBikes states, the real problem is “parents being misled by online sellers into buying electric motorcycles and electric dirt bikes for their kids”. These vehicles do not meet any safety standards or battery certifications.
These new New Jersey bicycle laws don’t address the actual problem and instead discourage legal, safe e-Bike riding and steer attention away from other traffic safety issues, such as illegal e-motos and cars.
What does Upway think about all this?
At Upway, electric bikes are our whole thing, and we care a lot about supporting riders and fostering a safe and equitable society on two (or three) wheels. We believe that New Jersey’s bill is misguided and may have severe negative consequences for the state.
- This new law may push more people to cars and fast-moving mopeds. Class 1 and 2 e-Bikes (under 20 mph) are bicycles by federal law. The S4834/A6235 bill, however, treats them like motor vehicles– New Jersey is the only state to do this. Owners will need to pay for registration and insurance, which may discourage e-Bike ridership or push them toward using motorcycles or cars.
- This law dramatically reduces the equity benefits of bikes. Many low-income people have turned to micromobility as their primary mode of transport. Mandating insurance and registration will take electric bicycles away as an affordable transportation option.
- This bill is unlikely to achieve its goals. This bill was in reaction to the tragic deaths of young people in New Jersey, who were killed because they were hit by cars while on a micromobility vehicle. Regulation should focus on "e-motos" and non-compliant imports that exceed 28 mph. Further, a risk-based regulatory and enforcement framework— efforts on reducing speeding and reckless driving for motorists— would be more effective for improving overall road safety.
The cycling community and e-Bike advocates have already been pushing back on the bill, including big conversations about the general e-Bike regulatory framework in the US. There seems to be a consensus in protecting Class 1 e-Bikes— after all, these are the bikes that are all across Europe as well. For faster, pedal-assisted Class 3 electric bicycles, some countries allow them, while others don’t.
Class 2 e-Bike with a throttle are specific to the US, and it is here that seems to be the place to make regulatory adjustments, if necessary. New Jersey decided to take the nuclear option when it comes to pedal-assist e-Bikes without considering alternatives to the three-class system, yet a more nuanced strategy may be where better compromise and safer streets lie.
What riders and Upway customers should know
- The law has just been signed and will take time to go into effect.
- Upway will be monitoring the situation and, once it goes into effect, will support customers with registration and insurance.
- Upway only sells e-Bikes, as defined by the three-class law, and does not sell e-motos. All of Upway’s bikes are certified safe by labs, and Upway will soon be releasing a safety training course to help riders understand the rules of the road, best practices for charging and maintenance, and other helpful tips for safe riding.
Ready to make your daily ride electric? Explore Upway's refurbished e-Bikes collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Jersey require a license for e-Bikes now?
Are Class 1 and Class 2 e-Bikes affected in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey now classifies all e-Bikes, including Class 1 and 2, as motorized bicycles.
When does the New Jersey e-Bike law take effect?
The law was signed on January 19, 2026, with a roughly six-month grace period for compliance.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey is the only U.S. state to classify all e-Bikes as motor vehicles requiring licenses, registration, and insurance.
- The law abandons the national three-class e-Bike system and the federal low-speed e-Bike definition.
- Cycling advocates argue the rule targets legal electric bikes instead of addressing dangerous, illegal e-motos and car safety issues.
