What E-Bike Riders Need To Know In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — As e-bikes and electric scooters become increasingly common on roads and sidewalks across Union County, local officials are reminding riders to know the rules — and warning that enforcement efforts are expected to increase.

The renewed focus comes as communities continue to balance the convenience and popularity of e-bikes with growing concerns about safety.

In Berkeley Heights, police recently announced that a township ordinance regulating electric bicycles, electric scooters, and motorized bicycles is now in effect. The department said officers will begin enforcing the rules in the coming weeks.

“Our goal is education and safety, but violations may result in enforcement action,” the Berkeley Heights Police Department said in a social media post.

The department's warning encourages riders to obey traffic laws, avoid reckless operation, and wear helmets where required by law.

The conversation around e-bike safety has taken on added significance in Union County following several serious incidents involving young riders.

In Scotch Plains, a 13-year-old boy was killed in an e-bike crash in September 2025,read the story here. The eighth-grade student was riding near the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Mountainview Avenue when he was struck by a landscaping truck. The tragedy sparked an outpouring of grief throughout the Scotch Plains-Fanwood community and renewed discussions about roadway safety for e-bike riders.

Meanwhile, the Township of Union Police Department is encouraging residents to sign up for updates from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission regarding additional e-bike requirements expected to take effect in July 2026.

Officials say the increased attention reflects the rapid growth of e-bike use across New Jersey, particularly among teenagers and commuters.

Rfforts to regulate bicycles in Union County date back more than a century.

According to a recent social media post from the the Fanwood Police Department, a Fanwood ordinance adopted in 1897 required bicycles and similar vehicles to carry lights at night, use bells when approaching intersections or pedestrians, and observe a 12-mile-per-hour speed limit on public roads. Violators could face fines of up to $5.

While today's e-bikes can travel much faster and rely on technology that would have been unimaginable in the late 1800s, the underlying goal remains largely unchanged: helping riders, drivers, and pedestrians safely share the road.

For riders across Union County, officials say the message is simple — understand the rules, stay aware of your surroundings, and ride responsibly.