Pat de Roma and another resident urged the Bergen County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 to revise a county ordinance that bans motorized bicycles and similar devices from county park paths.
Pat de Roma, a member of Bergen County Complete Streets, told commissioners the county sheriff’s office posted the ordinance on social media and that the county’s interpretation would ban class 1 and class 2 e‑bikes. “Class 1 e bikes only are pedal assist up to 20 miles an hour. They’re functionally — I ride one myself,” De Roma said. He said many people use e‑bikes for grocery shopping and that the devices allow people with limited mobility to use parks.
Chris Knowell of Fort Lee, who said a Glenrock mother brought the issue to his attention, asked commissioners to reconsider a blanket ban and discussed Saddle River Park specifically, where bicycle use is allowed on paths in some areas. “We really want to make it easier for people, not harder, to get involved in active transportation,” Knowell said, and suggested alternatives such as designated pavement markings, separate lanes, speed limits, traffic‑calming textures and county liaisons who could engage with riders instead of summonses.
The public comment period opened and closed by motions from the chair and was conducted under a three‑minute time limit established by Bergen County commissioner bylaws. No commissioner response or staff presentation about changing the ordinance was recorded in the meeting transcript during the public comment period.
Why this matters: Commenters said the current reading of the ordinance excludes people who rely on low‑speed, pedal‑assist e‑bikes for mobility or commuting, and they argued forcing those riders onto vehicle roadways increases safety risks. They asked the board to consider narrowly tailored exceptions for class 1 and class 2 e‑bikes or other accommodations to allow safe use of park paths.
Background and details: De Roma and Knowell described class 1 e‑bikes as pedal‑assist devices limited to about 20 mph and said studies show e‑bike riders and regular cyclists have similar behavior on shared paths. They also noted that the ordinance as explained in the sheriff’s office social media replies appears to include other electric mobility devices such as scooters and one‑wheel devices.
What happened at the meeting: Commissioners opened the hearing for public comment; two speakers addressed the ordinance. After public comment concluded there was no recorded motion, vote or directive in the transcript that changed the ordinance or directed staff to draft revisions.
What’s next: The transcript does not record any further action, staff assignment or timeline to review the ordinance. Commissioners did not vote on or amend the county parks motorized vehicle rule during the meeting.