New Jersey town toughening e-bike rules ahead of a new state law

A community in Burlington County is already taking steps to toughen its e-bike regulations ahead of a new state law that goes into effect next month. Officials in Morristown Township say it's in response to recent e-bike accidents in the area, including two deaths. Action News reporter Leland Pinder is live in Morristown tonight with more on the new restrictions that some consider controversial. Leland. Yeah, Rick, there is a lot of support for this new state law, including here in Morristown. But there are also some people already hoping for changes before it even has taken effect. It's a growing safety concern across New Jersey and the country. E-bikes on busy roads. Six months ago, David Suffren's client's son, Anthony Caprio III, was killed while riding his e-bike on Route 73 in Mount Laurel. More recently, just last week, 16-year-old Chase Sedano of Burlington County was killed when he crashed into a UPS truck. Something has to happen to address that issue, and we can't just do nothing. Starting next month, New Jersey will require e-bike registration and an e-bike license for those who don't already have a driver's license. Appointments begin Friday. The new law requires riders be 15 or older and complete a knowledge test, practice and road test. Residents have come out and spoken to council, and council has made this a priority. In Morristown Township, officials going even further, beefing up their own local ordinance to supplement the new state law, requiring helmets and restricting or more closely regulating use on sidewalks, trails, parks and school property. We're going to be out there educating and, when necessary, enforcing. However, the new state law is not without its critics. Advocates are concerned low-speed safer devices are being grouped with more powerful high-performance devices, are often involved in crashes and operated by younger users. They say they're already eyeing changes to the law with more specificity. It's too broad. It affects too many people. It doesn't solve the problem. Now today, I did reach out to the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission to ask them how this new law could impact out-of-state visitors, for example, those who might live in Pennsylvania or other states, and they might bring their e-bike down to the Jersey Shore. Unfortunately, I didn't hear back today, but we'll keep you updated. But for now, here in Morristown, Leland Pinder, Channel 6 Action News. Rick. All right, Leland, thank you for that report.