Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | October 3, 2025
On Wednesday, Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22nd Dist.) led a press conference on the steps of Scotch Plains Town Hall to call for reform of New Jersey’s laws regulating e-bikes.
The Senate President spoke about the rapid increase in the use of e-bikes across the state, noting the corresponding rise in injuries, particularly among young people who are riding without knowing or following the rules of the road.
Our community has been especially shaken by the heartbreaking loss of a 13-year-old resident in a tragic accident last week. While the investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing, this tragedy underscores how critical it is for us to act now to improve safety, awareness and accountability around e-bike use.
Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded announced at the press conference that Union County is in the process of issuing an Executive Order to prohibit e-bikes from being used in certain areas of county parks.
Locally, Scotch Plains and Fanwood, already in the process of drafting and/or aligning ordinances on e-bike use, are working together on adopting common-sense reforms. We know that anyone riding an e-bike in our community is traveling through the same streets, and consistency in how we regulate and enforce these rules will better protect riders, pedestrians and others who share the road.
In addition, Scotch Plains Police Chief Jeff Briel and the Fanwood Police Department are collaborating with the Union County Police Chiefs Association, of which he serves as Interim First Vice President, on an educational video related to the use of e-bikes so that we may better educate children and families about safe e-bike use.
Looking ahead, we aspire to work closely with the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education to expand these educational efforts in our middle schools and high school, helping ensure that our children have the knowledge and guidance they need to stay safe.
We are grateful to Senate President Scutari, Commissioner Palmieri-Mouded, and our local partners in Scotch Plains and Fanwood for their leadership on this important issue.
Together, we will continue working toward responsible, uniform, and practical solutions that maximize e-bike safety.
