Bill Text: NJ S4524 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires all operators of low-speed electric bicycles to wear helmets.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-26 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [S4524 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-S4524-Introduced.html
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.
