Calls mount for e-bike regulations following Scotch Plains tragedy
On Wednesday, lawmakers and experts renewed their calls for stricter safety measures and regulations when it comes to riding e-bikes.
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The Scotch Plains community in Union County is still grieving the loss of a 13-year-old boy, killed last week while riding his e-bike.
On Wednesday, lawmakers and experts renewed their calls for stricter safety measures and regulations when it comes to riding e-bikes.
Westfield Rescue Squad President Callie Campbell joined Senate President Nicholas Scutari and others on the steps of Scotch Plains Town Hall Wednesday Morning, just a week after tragedy struck the community. A memorial for 13-year-old Nico Lombardi rests a few blocks away where the aspiring athlete lost his life last week while riding an e-bike.
“This is going to be one of the big issues of this generation up there with social media,” said Callie Campbell, President of the Westfield Rescue Squad.
“I think there’s an opportunity out of this tragedy to be able to move forward with what I consider important legislation regulating e-bikes in the past,” said Senate President Nicholas Scutari.
Senator Scutari and the others are calling for statewide regulations on motorized bicycles, some capable of speeds approaching 30 mph.
“I think we’ve got to do more in terms of informing the public on what their responsibilities are on both sides, the drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists,” said Sen. Scutari.
“The e-bikes have to be ridden in the same way a bicycle would be ridden. You follow the rules of the road,” said Scotch Plains Police Chief Jeffrey Briel.
Because of their age, many of the riders of e-bikes haven’t even taken a driver’s education class.
“Nationally, e-bike injuries rose by 293% from 2019 to 2022 from federal data and an estimated 44% of these injuries were suffered by young people,” said Sen. Scutari.
E-bikes are now banned from Union County-owned parks. Sen. Scutari says past regulatory efforts were met with intense pushback from parents. Campbell suggests an all-out ban of e-bikes to anyone under 17.
“You can’t operate a motor vehicle until you’re 17 in this state, and it needs to be similar requirements for these e-bikes,” said Campbell.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has already raised nearly $200,000 to create a basketball scholarship in Nico Lombardi’s name as the region mourns the loss of the young teenager.
