SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
[First Reprint]
SENATE, No. 4834
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: DECEMBER 8, 2025
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4834 (1R).
As reported, this bill expands the types of bicycles that are regulated as motorized bicycles in New Jersey.
By designating all pedal bicycles with electric motors as motorized bicycles, these pedal bicycles will be required to comply with the provisions of law concerning motorized bicycles, including, but not limited to, requiring a person owning or operating one of these bicycles to obtain insurance, a license, and registration to operate these bicycles. Under the bill, a person has six months following the bill’s effective date to register, insure, and become licensed to operate a motorized bicycle that was not classified as a motorized bicycle before the bill’s effective date.
Under the bill, a person is required to be 17 years of age or older with a valid basic driver’s license issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to operate a motorized bicycle. A person under the age of 17 may operate a motorized bicycle if the person is at least 15 years of age and is in possession of a valid motorized bicycle license. Under current law, a person may operate a motorized bicycle if the person: (1) possesses a valid driver’s license of any class; or (2) is 15 years of age or older and possesses a motorized bicycle license.
In addition, the bill requires any law enforcement officer investigating an accident involving a motorized bicycle to report the accident to the Department of Transportation and the commission.
The bill further allows a person to register certain motorized bicycles using an affidavit if certain conditions apply and provides that it is a crime of the fourth degree to knowingly submit certain false documentation concerning proof of ownership of a motorized bicycle.
The bill also removes all references to “low-speed electric bicycle” throughout current law and waives all motorized bicycle examination, registration, and licensing fees for the first year following the effective date of the bill for motorized bicycles that were not classified as motorized bicycles prior to the bill’s effective date. The bill amends current law to include “motorized bicycle” in the term “personal conveyance” to require the operator of a motor vehicle to approach a motorized bicycle with due caution and to change lanes, leave a safe distance, or slow down and be prepared to stop when approaching and passing a motorized bicycle.
Finally, the bill requires the commission and the Department of Transportation to prepare and submit to the Legislature an annual report containing all information collected concerning motorized bicycles in this State.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Fiscal information for this bill is currently unavailable.