Brain Injury Doctor Addresses E-Bike Concerns Ahead Of New Laws In NJ

CHERRY HILL, NJ — As New Jersey is set to see new electronic bike (e-bike) regulations go into effect on July 19, a brain injury specialist is addressing the changes and safety issues that stem from years of crashes and a lapse in regulation.

These new laws will be enforced just weeks after a 16-year-old boy was killed in a crash with a delivery truck while riding an electric dirt bike in Southampton Township. Read More: NJ Teen Killed In Crash With UPS Truck Identified: Report

Dr. Thomas Watanabe, Director of the Drucker Brain Injury Center at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation for 20 years, told Patch that too many people assume e-bikes are like any other bike and downplay their risks.

"Be aware overall, as there are more of these bikes on the street, and they may be moving faster than drivers are used to expecting," Watanabe added.

A regular bicycle may travel at average speeds of eight to 10 miles per hour, while an e-bike can reach upwards of 30 miles per hour.

They are also heavier, leading to more damage during collisions.

According to Henry Schuitema, DO, Chief of Emergency Medicine for Jefferson-East, Jefferson saw an increased number of overall bike-related injuries in 2025, most likely related to the popularity of e-bikes.

The tally of head injuries specifically caused by bike-related activity was not available.

Under New Jersey's new guidelines, all e-bike riders must now have:

• A valid driver's ID (Age 17 and over) or motorized bicycle ID (Ages 15 and 16)
• Have their bikes registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
• Have insurance

Fees for IDs and registration are waived for the first year, the state said.

No one under the age of 15 is allowed to drive an e-bike, and the new law covers all types of vehicles.

Modification kits to make bikes faster are now illegal.

Online e-bike sales are also banned in New Jersey for one year.

"Some oversight could prove to be helpful to keep riders safe," said Watanabe, "but education, particularly about proper helmet use, is of the utmost importance."

All drivers and riders must also wear an approved, properly-fitted Department of Transportation-compliant helmet, in accordance with state law.

According to Jefferson Health, helmets should be NTA 8776 certified and be worn using the "2-V-1" rule.

The front of the helmet should be two horizontal fingers away from the eyebrows, while the straps should make a "V" shape around the earlobes.

There should also be a one-finger gap between the chin and the strap.

Child Bike-Related Deaths

According to Jefferson, bike-related deaths of minors stem from head injuries in 75 percent of cases. A study also concluded that 85 percent of those injuries could have been prevented if a properly-fitted helmet was being worn.

Children should wear helmets immediately when starting to ride a bike, whether pedaling or as a passenger.

Toddlers under one year old should not be riding a bike at all, the health system added.

Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation currently treats concussions and other traumatic brain injuries at all three of its New Jersey locations in Washington Township, Cherry Hill, and Stratford.

RELATED COVERAGE:

1. Middletown Teen Boy On E-Bike Drove Into Back Of Car
2. 11-Year-Old Boy Hit By Car At School In South Jersey, Police Say
3. Princeton Student Involved In E-Bike Crash Has Died, Police Say

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