HOWELL, NJ—With the summer tourism season kicking off at the Jersey Shore and Memorial Day weekend around the corner, local authorities are focusing on a new safety initiative.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, in collaboration with the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association, has launched a week-long social media campaign to educate the public on the safe use of electric bicycles (e-bikes).
E-bikes, which incorporate an electric motor to assist with pedaling, are categorized into three classes based on their operation modes and speed limits. Class 1 e-bikes assist only while the rider is pedaling and stop assisting at 20 miles per hour. Class 2 models can propel the bike without pedaling, also up to 20 miles per hour. Class 3 e-bikes are similar to Class 1 but include a speedometer and a higher cutoff speed of 28 miles per hour.
The campaign will cover the implications of these classifications for e-bike use, ownership regulations, and how they are enforced by law enforcement. Contributions from the Manasquan Borough Police Department have been pivotal, providing graphics and background information to aid the campaign. This initiative underscores the growing popularity of e-bikes and the need for increased awareness of their legal and safe use during the bustling summer months.