Hoboken Police encourage safe e bike riding while cracking down on unregistered high speed electric vehicles

Home News Hoboken Police encourage safe e-bike riding while cracking-down on unregistered high-speed electric vehicles

Hoboken Police Chief Steven Aguiar and the Hoboken Police Department today announced a new initiative to create safer streets and regulate high-speed electric bicycles in Hoboken. The Hoboken Police Department will begin focusing on unregistered Class 3 electric bicycles that are capable of reaching speeds over 20 mph.

This category of vehicle, which includes mopeds and certain Whizz e-bikes, must be registered in the State of New Jersey. Any Class 3 bike not registered by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC), cannot be operated legally on a public roadway.

Those found operating an unregistered Class-3 e-bike will receive the appropriate summons and face fines of up to $100 for each violation. In addition, the bike will be impounded at the owner's expense.

"Electric bikes are an important mode of alternative transportation, and when used safely, provide a convenient way to get around Hoboken. Nonetheless, we understand, and take seriously resident concerns about illegal e-bikes," said Chief Aguiar. "HPD knows the risk these high-speed electric bicycles pose to public safety, especially when operated illegally on our streets, and our officers will continue to actively monitor for violators."

Hoboken police also continue to educate owners and operators of lower speed (Class 1 and Class 2) e-bikes. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which provide an alternative to driving a car when operated safely, are the most common style of e-bike used in Hoboken. They do not have to be registered, and a license is not necessary when operating this type of e-bike. However, Hoboken police will continue to issue summonses to those who ride Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes illegally, including riding on sidewalks.

Officers with HPD are also stepping up enforcement against other illegal motorized vehicles in Hoboken that have provided safety challenges. Fourteen mopeds, motorcycles, and/or e-bikes have been impounded in the last two weeks, with the operators being issued summonses for a variety of violations including being illegally parked, unregistered, and/or uninsured.

All drivers are reminded that the city-wide speed limit is 20 mph, and 15 mph in school zones. The City reduced the speed limit in 2022 as part of the City's Vision Zero initiative to eliminate all traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.

Class 3 e-bikes, like the Whizz e-bike pictured here, must be registered to operate in New Jersey.