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Committee amends, releases e-bike safety bill to create class system and battery standards
Summary
Assembly Bill 5295, which reclassifies low‑speed electric bicycles into class 1 and class 2 categories and requires third‑party certification and labeling of e‑bike batteries and chargers, was amended and released by the committee; members agreed to consider an amendment to exempt private sales of existing bicycles from new certification duties.
The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee on Feb. 13 amended and released Assembly Bill 5295, a package measure that reclassifies low‑speed electric bicycles into class 1 and class 2 categories and imposes equipment and battery‑safety requirements for electric bicycles sold, leased, or rented in New Jersey.
The bill replaces the prior single definition of “low speed electric bicycle” with distinct definitions for class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles, requires compliance with applicable federal equipment and manufacturing regulations, and mandates that class information, top speed and motor wattage be permanently labeled on the bicycle frame. The measure also adds requirements for third‑party certification of e‑bike batteries and charging systems and phases in compliance timelines for manufacturers and retailers.
In prepared remarks, the bill presenter said New Jersey has seen a significant increase in e‑bike use and emphasized safety and regulatory clarity. “Our current regulations do lack clarity and it creates confusion for riders, manufacturers and law enforcement officers specifically,” the presenter said. He added the bill will align state law with national standards and require accredited testing laboratory certification for batteries and chargers to help prevent fire hazards associated with uncertified lithium‑ion batteries.
Committee members raised a concern about language that, as drafted, could require private sellers to secure certification for batteries when transferring a used e‑bike. Assemblyman McGuckin said he supported the bill’s other provisions but disagreed with applying the certification requirement to private, one‑time transfers and said he would abstain unless that language was amended. The committee acknowledged the comment and agreed to consider amendments to exclude private sales of existing personal bikes from the third‑party certification requirement.
Several advocacy groups recorded support for the measure; Daniel Alexander of People 4 Bikes and Jay Weisbond of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters were listed in favor and did not testify.
On the motion to amend and release, the committee recorded two abstentions and released the bill to the full Assembly for further action.
