Florham Park toughens e-bike rules after recent crashes
Police say there was a crash involving an e-bike and a vehicle this week, and two others earlier this year.
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The Florham Park Borough Council unanimously passed a new ordinance with stricter e-bike regulations after local safety concerns.
Police say there was a crash involving an e-bike and a vehicle this week, and two others earlier this year. Two of those crashes caused injuries.
Police say they seized an e-bike capable of going 50 mph from an unlicensed teenager this week. This type of bike is known as “Class 3” - that means it is considered a motor vehicle, and must be insured, registered and operated by someone with a license. They reach 28 mph, but police say many are altered to go faster.
“It has created somewhat of a reckless environment on our roadways,” said Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando. “Not just for the people on the bicycles - the kids - but it's also for the pedestrians and for the motoring public as well.”
Under the new rules, sidewalks are off-limits, including school sidewalks. So are parks and fields without clear signage. Anyone under 17 has to wear a helmet. The rest of it comes down to following the rules of the road.
Police say the crashes have been caused by teens disobeying traffic laws - passing turning cars on the left or riding in the fast lane.
Penalties include fines and temporary, or even long-term, impounds for repeat offenders.
