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Somers Point adopts ordinance allowing low-speed e-bikes on bike paths while pointing to pending state law
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance No. 17 to regulate electric-bicycle operation on municipal bike paths and sidewalks, exempting 'low-speed electric bikes' as described in the meeting; councilors noted a pending state bill could change classifications and the city may revisit the rule if state policy changes.
Somers Point’s City Council adopted Ordinance No. 17 on second reading Dec. 17, which amends the municipal vehicle and traffic code to regulate electric-bicycle operation on the city’s bike paths and sidewalks.
City solicitor Mister Smith told council that the ordinance as drafted exempts "low-speed electric bikes" from the subsections that otherwise restrict motorized vehicles, using the statute cited during the discussion as the source for that definition. He also said higher-speed e-bike types are already prohibited from the bike path under state law. Several council members said a pending bill in Trenton could change classifications for e-bikes, and they may revisit the ordinance if state law is altered. One council member summarized the choice as accepting a partial compromise, saying, "half a loaf is better than no loaf," and urged residents who care about the outcome to contact their state legislators.
A motion to adopt the ordinance was made, seconded and approved with no recorded opposition at the meeting. Council members asked staff to monitor state legislation and to prepare to amend the municipal code should statute language change.
