LAKE COMO — The borough mayor and council, at its April 15 meeting, introduced an ordinance amending borough code regulating e-bikes.
The introduced ordinance, offered by Council President Douglas Witte, amends and supplements borough code to add a section regarding low-speed electric bicycles and other means of motorized conveyances.
The ordinance was created following a workshop discussion about the measure at the council’s last meeting and was drafted with Belmar’s recently adopted e-bike ordinance in mind, as the two boroughs share a police department.
“It was patterned after Belmar’s ordinance,” Borough Attorney Marguerite Schaffer said. “We did tweak some things, in particular, places where it talked about tricycles, so we made sure that we called them vehicles rather than bicycles.”
According to the ordinance, the borough “has been subject to a proliferation of various and unregulated modes of motorized conveyance vehicles in the town, many of which are not addressed or regulated under the New Jersey Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations.”
The ordinance defines a low-speed electric vehicle (LSEV) as a “two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, that meets the requirements of one of the following classifications.”
A class one is defined as “a low-speed electric bicycle or tricycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle or tricycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.”
A class two is defined as “equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the vehicle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the vehicle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.”
A low-speed electric scooter is defined as “a scooter with a floorboard that can be stood upon by the operator, with handlebars, and an electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion at a maximum speed of less than 19 miles per hour.”
Operation of any motorized vehicle or conveyance, including but not limited to any motorized bicycle, tricycle, scooter, skateboard, ball or single wheel apparatus, is prohibited “on the streets, sidewalks, boardwalk, paths and public properties located in the Borough of Lake Como except as provided herein or as specifically permitted.”
Operators of LSEVs must observe all traffic controls, wear a helmet, ensure working lights and reflectors as well as an audible single,
Operating a LSEV in excess of 20 miles per hour, driving in a reckless or careless manner, taking on more passengers than the vehicle is meant to equip, carrying items which prevent proper riding technique and hitching on another vehicle are prohibited. No person shall park a LSEV upon a street except where an appropriate rack or spots are provided, according to the ordinance.
Enforcement of the ordinance shall be under the jurisdiction of the police department.
The ordinance is expected to have its second reading and public hearing before adoption at the council’s next meeting.
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