The Great E-Bike Crackdown Has Begun
E-Bike Crackdown Begins: New Jersey’s Controversial Law Sparks National Debate In a move that’s stunned advocates for sustainable transportation, New Jersey has enacted one of the strictest e-bike regulations in the country—requiring registration, licensing, and insurance for all electric bicycles, regardless of speed or power. The law, signed into effect in January 2026, treats even low-speed, pedal-assist e-bikes like motor vehicles, drawing sharp criticism from urban planners, delivery workers, and climate advocates alike. With concerns mounting over safety and equity, many are asking: Is this the start of a nationwide crackdown on e-bikes? Credit: Google A One-Size-Fits-All Law That Fits No One At first glance, the legislation appears to address legitimate public safety concerns. Reports of high-speed e-bikes—some capable of exceeding 30 mph—being ridden recklessly by teens have fueled anxiety in cities across the U.S. But New Jersey’s response doesn’t differentiate between those modi…
