A bill that would require all electric bikes in New Jersey to be licensed, registered and insured is now just one step away from becoming law following passage by both houses of the state Legislature, which sent it to Governor Murphy for his signature.

The bill, which is sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari, would eliminate all e-bike classifications and redefines “motorized bicycle” to include any pedal bicycle with an electric motor that assists pedaling or can exclusively propel the bike via throttle.

Current state law includes three different categories of e-bikes, depending on how fast they can go.

Under the bill, e-bike users 17 years of age or older would be required to register a low-speed electric bicycle and have a valid basic driver’s license issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to operate a motorized bicycle. Insurance would also be required for motorized bicycles and electric motorized bicycles.

Additionally, minors under the age of 15 are prohibited from operating an e-bike or motorized bike. Anyone 15 or 16 would have to have a permit. Also included in the wide-ranging bill is a ban on riding e-bikes without reflectors between dusk and dawn.

Violators will be fined $50, but not for the first 12 months following enactment.

Governor Murphy can sign the bill until he leaves office on January 20th.