NORTH WILDWOOD – E-bikers on the city’s section of the boardwalk had better watch their speed.
The City Council passed two ordinances Dec. 2 regulating e-bikes in the city, with one of them limiting speed to 10 mph on the boardwalk. In presenting the ordinances before a public hearing and final passage, the city clerk commented about nearly being struck by speeding e-bikes on the boardwalk.
The ordinance on the speed limit reads: “No vehicles, bicycles, motorized or electric bicycles, motorized or electric scooter, skateboard or any other type of wheeled device shall be operated on the boardwalk of the City of North Wildwood at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour.”
Police Chief Katharine Madden said the city has not had any major issues with e-bikes, but the vehicles are fast. She said the ordinance permits officers to ask people to slow down and that the outreach is preventative in nature, that they are trying to regulate speeds before they get out of hand.
Asked why the city didn’t simply ban e-bikes from the boardwalk, Mayor Patrick Rosenello said e-bikes can generally be pedaled without any motorized function.
The other ordinance also addresses the above-mentioned types of vehicles and creates regulations for their use, including the requirement that operators follow traffic regulations, such as obeying traffic control signs and signals.
Operators of electric vehicles must also travel in the same manner and direction as automobiles and not ride against traffic or on sidewalks. Operators under age17 are required to wear helmets.
Surrounding communities have enacted regulations that mirror state law regulating e-bikes. A bill now in the Legislature requires e-bikes to be registered and licensed, as are mopeds.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
