bike shops warned that it would have consequences. Now, just a few weeks after the law officially took effect, those predictions appear to have come true.
Bike shops across the state are reporting declines in e-bike sales ranging from 20% to an astonishing 90%, with many saying customers are simply deciding that owning an e-bike in New Jersey is no longer worth the hassle.
The law, which took effect on July 19, requires every e-bike in the state to be registered, from the slowest Class 1 pedal-assist models all the way through faster Class 3 bikes. Riders under 17 without a driver’s license must pass an MVC licensing test to obtain a special e-bike license, while Class 2 throttle-equipped e-bikes and Class 3 models also require insurance, similar to owning a car.
Several shops have already laid off employees, closed rental operations, downsized, or warned they may not survive through the end of the year.
I’m not sure those are ‘draconian’ laws.
I’m not sure the e-bike business is viable.
Too many kids are using them without proper care or concern for the public.
Let them go out of business if people find regulation too onerous.
Had one zip by me on the sidewalk. Could’ve been disastrous for both of us. See kids flying around, in traffic, helmet-less, at high speeds. So, yeah, a little regulation is needed, since people don’t use common sense. ER docs weigh in for good reason.
Had 2 or 3 highly publicized deaths of e-bike riding young teenagers in these parts this summer One a rented ebike!
I’m pretty sure that if this OP report of an industry being decimated by so called draconian restrictions is in any way accurate, it’s unlikely to be due to the folk like me, for instance. The ones who’d forgo getting the car out for a quick journey to the stores for a quart of miles and a couple of packs of dental floss in exchange for a bike with a bit of assistance on the 10%+ grades coming home. Rather a safety measure aimed at preventing irresponsible parents from reducing the number of offspring they’re currently supporting.
Bring it on for Colorado!!! I can seriously see the family albatross (Lump of Foul Deformity/spit for brains wankertron) purchasing one for the granddaughter foruse on “his” time. If for nothing more than triggering my daughter to object (on safety grounds) so he can get his pettyfogging legal counsel to file some sort of motion claiming Coercive Control!! (latest buzz word) for an extra $4k in legal fees for daughter.