Effective July 19, 2026, New Jersey’s new e-bike law, P.L. 2025, c. 285, imposes expanded licensing, registration, insurance and safety requirements on electric bicycles.
Now low-speed electric bicycles and motorized bicycles must be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Riders must carry proof of registration, and the required MVC registration identification must be displayed on the bicycle. Motorized bicycles must be covered by liability insurance. Qualifying low-speed electric bicycles must be registered but are not subject to the insurance requirement.
Although the law primarily regulates e-bike owners and operators, it also has important implications for apartment owners whose residents operate, park, store or charge e-bikes on residential properties.
For apartment owners, the new law presents an appropriate opportunity to update lease provisions concerning e-bikes, motorized bicycles and lithium-ion batteries.
Owners may wish to revise their leases to address:
- Resident compliance with all applicable licensing, registration and insurance requirements;
- Permitted and prohibited locations for the operation, parking and storage of e-bikes and approved locations for the storage of removable lithium-ion batteries;
- Prohibitions against storing e-bikes or batteries in hallways, stairwells, exits, egress paths or other common areas;
- Battery-charging policies prohibiting charging in hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms or other unauthorized common areas;
- A requirement that residents use only manufacturer-approved batteries, chargers and electrical components;
- Prohibitions against charging damaged, altered, recalled, overheating or visibly defective batteries;
- Restrictions against the use of extension cords, power strips or unauthorized electrical outlets for e-bike charging;
- Resident responsibility for property damage, personal injury, remediation costs and other losses caused by an e-bike, charger or lithium-ion battery fire; and
- The owner’s right to require the removal of an e-bike, battery or charger that presents a fire, electrical or other safety hazard.
Existing e-bike owners are provided with a six-month grace period from the law’s effective date to obtain the required registration, licensing and insurance, where applicable. This period gives current owners and operators time to bring their e-bikes into compliance with the new statutory requirements.
As a result of this new law, owners may want to notify residents of the new requirements and clearly state that residents remain responsible for complying with State law and all applicable lease and community policies.