Bicycle Austin forum

MichaelBluejay

Webmaster

From: Austin, TX

Registered: 2008-05-26

Posts: 1,493

Website

NJ requiring eBike registration, insurance

https://www.nj.com/news/2026/01/nj-e-bi … omers.html

Discuss.

chavela

Member

Registered: 2008-06-03

Posts: 59

Re: NJ requiring eBike registration, insurance

Bikes that go over 20 mph--it does seem they need and deserve different treatment, including especially a way to rein in (hold accountable) "riders"--really, drivers--of those vehicles.  But getting insurance involved seems like a guaranteed way to screw...someone.  I am not clear on what the current Texas law is, and whether bikes going over 20 mph are held to a different standard.

MichaelBluejay

Webmaster

From: Austin, TX

Registered: 2008-05-26

Posts: 1,493

Website

Re: NJ requiring eBike registration, insurance

In 2000 councilmember Spelman sponsored a successful resolution which lifted the ban on eBikes using bike lanes in Austin.  eBikes were only barely becoming a thing back then.

Austin used to require licensing and registration for even NON-motorized bicycles, from 1954-1980.  Until you read this just now, I was likely the only person on the planet who knew that.  I just dug it up from old City documents (which are not on the Internet).

dougmc

Administrator

Registered: 2008-06-01

Posts: 641

Re: NJ requiring eBike registration, insurance

I am not clear on what the current Texas law is, and whether bikes going over 20 mph are held to a different standard.

Current Texas law is that electric bicycles that fit this definition are pretty much treated the same as meat-powered bicycles.

(4) “Electric bicycle” means a bicycle:
(A) equipped with:
(i) fully operable pedals; and
(ii) an electric motor of fewer than 750 watts; and
(B) with a top assisted speed of 28 miles per hour or less.

... and if you don't fit the definition, you've got a moped or a motorcycle, which has a bunch of extra requirements, including insurance and registration.

Texas even has some laws that limit the ability of local governments to further limit them, for example this one that prohibits local governments from prohibiting electric bicycles from improved trails if the trail allows meat-powered bicycles.

As for the electric bikes that can go up to 28 mph (class 3, vs class 1 or 2), the only different standard that they're held to is that they're supposed to have a speedometer.

Pesonally, I think the current Texas laws regarding them are pretty good as-is, and the only change I'd suggest is actual enforcement for bikes that don't fit the definition above -- if the police see something that is going 35+ mph without a steep hill to help, pull them over.  (They could try to measure power and the like with a dynamometer, but just checking speed would be so much easier and simplify any issues regarding "probable cause".)