Bicycle store owners say upcoming e-bike regulations are already having negative impact on sales
E-bike riders must be 15 years old or older, and they must have an e-bike license or a driver's license.
Bicycle store owners say new e-bike regulations signed by former Gov. Phil Murphy that are set go into effect Sunday July 19 are beginning to negatively impact them.
The law now implements an age limit.
E-bike riders must be 15 years old or older, and they must have an e-bike license or a driver's license.
All e-bikes must be registered with the Motor Vehicles Commission, and if it is a motorized bicycle, it must be insured.
The law has already stated to impact businesses like Voltaire Cycles in Verona. Owner and technician Denis Grishin says the law and, in particular, the insurance requirement for motorized bicycles is making new customers second guess their decision.
"Today I got a phone call from a lady she is willing to sell her brand-new bicycle," Grishin said. "...Because of that new law she doesn't want to have it."
Grishin says he is already seeing a negative impact on his sales.
"There was a very big impact — [a] dramatic drop [in] sales. I still have repairs, I had a mechanic and I had to fire him. Now I do everything on my own." Grishin said. "The summer is the peak of sales. Summer is your harvest if you don't make enough money during the summer, you won't make it through the winter."
He agrees with the law stopping young kids from operating e-bikes but thinks it is restrictive for adult recreational riders. He adds that it also makes it harder for low-income riders from accessing a cheaper form of transportation.
