New Jersey residents will soon be able to begin registering their e-bikes and obtaining required licenses as the state’s new e-bike law moves closer to taking full effect. The law’s grace period ends July 19. After that date, riders must be at least 15 years old, wear a helmet, and have eithe r an e-bike license, permit, or valid driver’s license. All e-bikes also must be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. “The biggest question that we’re receiving now is when can they register to get their e-bikes?” Lower Township Police Department Sgt. Michael Perry said. This week, the MVC announced that appointments for e-bike licenses and registration will begin Friday. Only New Jersey residents will be eligible to obtain them. At Zippy’s Bikes in Wildwood, owner Scott Chambers said confusion surrounding the new law has hurt business. “It’s snowballs and they think, oh they’re illegal, they’re against the law, you can’t ride them… when that’s not the case,” Chambers said. Businesses that rent and sell e-bikes say customers are still trying to understand what the new requirements mean. “I think there’s confusion today. And the state is not giving a clear direction on what path to take,” said Jay O’Connor, an employee at Tuckahoe Bike Shop. One of the biggest unanswered questions involves how law enforcement will handle riders and e-bikes from outside New Jersey, an issue that could become especially significant during the busy summer season at the Jersey Shore. “I mean that ties in the tourism as well too,” Lower Township Police Department Chief Don Vanaman said. “I’m hoping that clarification comes from the Motor Vehicle Commission.” The MVC does not handle street-level enforcement. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office told NBC10 that beginning July 19, operating an unregistered e-bike or riding without a valid license will be prohibited under state law. A spokesperson did not say what guidance, if any, would be provided to police departments. “Our plan is going into this to really enforce the most dangerous stuff first, riding double, no helmets, all the normal bike rules, you know, right side of the road,” Vanaman said. The MVC has clarified that motorized bicycles capable of reaching speeds up to 28 mph must carry insurance. Low-speed e-bikes with a top speed of 20 mph do not require insurance. The agency also said people renting a low-speed e-bike will not need an e-bike license or driver’s license, as long as they are at least 16 years old. At Zippy’s Bikes, however, Chambers said the business has chosen not to rent e-bikes to anyone younger than 18. As the July 19 deadline approaches, riders, businesses and law enforcement agencies continue seeking additional guidance on how the new rules will be implemented. “We want to do the right thing here,” O’Connor said. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less