S 4524

SENATE, No. 4524
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED JUNE 26, 2026
Sponsored by:
Senator� ROBERT W. SINGER
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
���� Requires all operators of low-speed electric bicycles
to wear helmets.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
An Act concerning helmet requirements for low-speed electric
bicycle operators and amending and supplementing P.L.2019, c.121.
���� Be It
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
���� 1.��� Section 2 of P.L.2019,
c.121 (C.39:4-14.16) is amended to read as follows:�
���� 2.��� a.� A low-speed electric
bicycle or low-speed electric scooter, as defined in R.S.39:1-1, may be
operated on the streets, highways, roadways, and bicycle paths of this State,
except as otherwise provided in this section, section 2 of P.L.1975, c.250 (C.39:4-14.3),
section 9 of P.L.1983, c.105 (C.39:4-14.3i), and P.L.2025, c.285 (C.39:6A-4.8
et al.), and may be parked on a sidewalk provided that the low-speed electric
bicycle or low-speed electric scooter does not impede the normal movement of
pedestrian or other traffic upon the sidewalk.
���� b.��� On and after January 1,
2019, manufacturers and distributors of low-speed electric bicycles shall apply
a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each low-speed
electric bicycle.� The label shall contain the classification number, top
assisted speed, and motor wattage of the low-speed electric bicycle and shall
be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.
���� c.��� A person shall not
tamper with or modify a low-speed electric bicycle so as to change the
motor-powered speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle.
���� d.��� A low-speed electric
bicycle or low-speed electric scooter may be operated on bicycle paths, except
that a local government entity or State agency may prohibit the operation of
low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed electric scooters on bicycle paths under
its jurisdiction.
���� e.��� Unless permitted by a
local government entity or State agency with jurisdiction, a low-speed electric
bicycle or low-speed electric scooter shall not be operated on a trail
designated for non-motorized traffic if such trail has a natural surface tread
made by clearing and grading the soil and no surfacing materials have been
added.
���� f.���� (1) The operator of a
low-speed electric scooter shall not be required to register the low-speed
electric scooter or have a driver's license.
���� (2)� The operator of a
low-speed electric bicycle shall be required to register the low-speed electric
bicycle and have a driver�s license to operate the low-speed electric bicycle
pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1975, c.250 (C.39:4-14.3).
���� g.��� Except as otherwise
provided by this section, section 2 of P.L.1975, c.250 (C.39:4-14.3), section 9
of P.L.1983, c.105 (C.39:4-14.3i), section 2 of P.L.    ,
c.    (C.        )
(pending before the Legislature as this bill), and P.L.2025, c.285
(C.39:6A-4.8 et al.), all statutes, including the provisions of chapter 4 of
Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, rules, and regulations applicable to
bicycles, as defined in section 1 of P.L.1991, c.465 (C.39:4-10.1), shall apply
to low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters, except those
provisions which by their very nature may have no application to low-speed
electric bicycles or low-speed electric scooters.
���� h.��� A low-speed electric
scooter shall be considered a motor vehicle to the extent required by 23 U.S.C.
s.154.
���� i.���� No person shall operate
a low-speed electric bicycle from dusk to dawn without a reflector installed on
the low-speed electric bicycle.
���� j.���� No person shall sell,
or offer for sale, modification kits designed to turn a low-speed electric
bicycle into a motorized bicycle or an electric motorized bicycle.
(cf:� P.L.2025, c.285, s.3)
���� 2.��� (New section) A person
shall not operate a low-speed electric bicycle, as that term is defined in
R.S.39:1-1, unless the person wears a protective helmet of a type approved by
the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
���� 3.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.
STATEMENT
���� This bill requires every
person operating a low-speed electric bicycle to wear a protective helmet of a
type approved by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission.