WILDWOOD — City Commissioners this week introduced amendments to their ordinance governing bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards and more on the Boardwalk, the latest step in an effort to rein in the use of some vehicles.
“It is more housekeeping to make sure that skateboards are not utilized on the Boardwalk,” said Steven Morris, the city attorney. “This just clears it up so that it makes life easier for our officers and our prosecutor.”
The operation of e-bikes and other vehicles with electric motors became a significant issue over the summer, with officials in multiple shore towns raising concerns about their safety and how they are operated.
In August, Wildwood joined the discussions, with officials calling for a regional approach to the issue, possibly to include new state laws.
As the popularity of the bikes continues to increase, more members of the public and local officials have raised concerns about ignored traffic laws, excessive speeds and a lack of helmets for many riders.
Concerns intensified after a July accident in Somers Point claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy from Egg Harbor Township who was riding an e-bike on the bike path. Under state rules, e-bikes are classified the same as person-powered bikes, meaning most are allowed on bike paths that are otherwise off limits to motorized vehicles.
Wildwood previously approved new laws keeping electric scooters, e-bikes and other powered vehicles off its Boardwalk, and last year implemented an e-bike patrol unit for the police.
As Morris described the ordinance amendment, it will correct a clerical error, soon after the approval of a similar ordinance.
The death of a 14-year-old Egg Harbor Township boy in July has spurred calls for state action on e-bike safety. Here’s what to know.
“If this title looks familiar, it’s because it should look familiar,” Morris said. “We recently had a first and second reading on this very same ordinance to amend a clerical issue or an inconsistency.”
He said further investigation found an additional contradiction.
“For the public’s edification, what basically does this ordinance prohibit, or restrict or control?” asked Mayor Ernie Troiano.
The ordinance set the times of day when bicycles can be used on the Boardwalk during the season and the times of year that are considered in season. Last year, the city set the prohibition on bikes from May 9 to Sept. 30 from the hours of 1 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“But you are never permitted to operate scooters, e-bikes, skateboards or anything that falls outside that vein of being a traditional bicycle” on the Boardwalk, Morris said.
Troiano said he has an e-bike with three levels, from a peddle assist that makes riding easier to a fully electric mode that is operated with a throttle, which can reach speeds of more than 20 mph.
In the first gear riding at about 10 mph, “Am I permitted up there?” Troiano asked.
“If it’s a motorized bicycle, it is prohibited by the ordinance,” Morris said. But officers know someone can use one of those bikes without the motor engaged at all. They will be more focused on bikes operating at reckless speeds.
“Listen, if you have a peddle assist and you’re traveling at 10 miles an hour, that’s not the problem here,” Morris said.
Contact Bill Barlow:
609-272-7290
bbarlow@pressofac.com
X @jerseynews_bill
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