NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A bill that would require registration and insurance for low-speed electric bicycles and scooters is being amended following pushback from multiple groups, including insurance experts, bike companies, and bike advocates.
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Nicholas Scutari and State Sen. Vin Gopal, would "require low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be registered with MVC and to be insured."
During a Thursday hearing in the State Senate's Transportation Committee, the committee chairman, Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., acknowledged the pushback from critics of the bill, particularly regarding the insurance mandate. He stated that they are attentive to these concerns and that they are "working on an amendment," according to NJ.com.
Opponents argued that the proposed requirements could impose undue financial burdens, particularly on lower-income users who rely on these vehicles as their primary mode of transportation.
During the hearing, two insurance industry representatives stated that there was currently no insurance available in New Jersey for e-bikes.
"Right now, there is no product," said Gary La Spisa II, Insurance Council of New Jersey vice-president, according to NJ.com. "You'll need time to develop it and roll it out. We're talking years, not months to develop it."
In defense of the legislation, when the bill was first introduced, Diegnan had said, "This bill is about protecting motorists and the general public. By informing the owners of motor vehicles of any open recalls, they will be more informed about any potential problems or dangers that their vehicle may be susceptible to, and be able to take the necessary steps to fix them."
"Requiring notice of open recalls on at least an annual basis will help ensure that people are as informed as possible about any issues with their vehicle that are no fault of their own," he added. "Often, these problems can be fixed at no cost to their owner, and if more people are made aware of this it can help reduce accidents, injuries, and deaths on our roads."
The bill also allows the MVC to issue registration certificates once the owner has complied with all requirements, including the submission of a proper application, payment of the registration fee, and approval of the vehicle type by the MVC. Registrations are set to expire on the last day of the 11th month following the issuance month.
Owners are also required to maintain comprehensive insurance that includes liability coverage, personal injury protection for pedestrians, and uninsured motorist coverage.
The bill, pre-filed for introduction in the upcoming session, has already undergone and includes technical revisions, according to a statement by the STC.
