Livingston Township is warning drivers to watch for children on bicycles and reminding e-bike riders to comply with New Jersey's new licensing and registration rules as the school year gets underway.
The township posted the safety message on its official X account Saturday, Aug. 29. The post urged motorists to slow down for young cyclists and flagged that New Jersey's e-bike requirements are now in effect.
What the e-bike law requires
Gov. Phil Murphy signed the e-bike law on Jan. 19. The requirements took effect in July 2026, according to the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission. They apply statewide:
- Age minimum: Riders must be at least 15 years old. The age restriction applied immediately and was not subject to the six-month grace period.
- License: Riders 15–16 need a special motorized bicycle license from the MVC. Riders 17 and older can use a standard driver's license.
- Registration: All e-bikes must be registered with the MVC. First-year registration was free through the July 19 compliance deadline.
- Insurance: Motorized bicycles, the throttle-assist models that reach up to 28 mph, require liability insurance. Low-speed electric bicycles, pedal-assist models capped at 20 mph, do not.
- Helmets: Riders under 17 on low-speed e-bikes must wear a helmet. Motorized bicycle riders of any age must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet.
The NJ Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center maintains a full breakdown of requirements by vehicle type.
Broader back-to-school push
The e-bike reminder is part of a broader safety campaign by the Livingston Police Department. In an Aug. 17 advisory reported by Patch, Capt. Russell Mueller urged drivers to stay alert around school buses and in school zones.
"Even if you don't see any students, never pass a stopped school bus or ignore the flashing red lights," Mueller said in the Aug. 17 advisory. "… It's against the law and doing so could result in tragedy."
Millburn Township also posted a reminder Friday, Aug. 28, asking drivers to watch for school buses when classes resume Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Residents with questions about traffic safety can contact the Livingston Police Department at (973) 992-3000.
