The Princeton Police Department is starting separate categories that count crashes involving electric bicycles and e-motos in its monthly overall report to the Princeton Council.
E-bike crashes are counted in the same category involving bicyclists, while crashes involving e-motos are counted in a category that keeps track of crashes involving motorcycles. Both forms of transportation are increasing in popularity.
In the first six months of 2026, there were three e-bike crashes, according to Princeton Police Department statistics. Two of the three crashes resulted in injuries.
There were two e-moto crashes, one of which was fatal. It occurred when a Princeton Middle School student crashed into the side of a vehicle at the intersection of Ewing Street and Terhune Road in April. The other e-moto crash involved injuries.
With New Jersey’s updated e-bike legislation now in effect, the Princeton Police Department believes it is important to begin tracking and sharing the crash information with the community, police Lt. Christopher Craven said.
“Our goal is to better understand trends, educate the public and ultimately reduce crashes involving e-bikes, e-motos and e-scooters through enforcement, education and outreach,” Craven told the Princeton Council at its July 27 meeting.
“Before we get to enforcement, we want to educate everybody because it is new to everyone – including the Police Department,” he said.
A new state law puts e-bikes into two categories – low-speed electric or pedal-assisted bikes with a top speed of 20 miles per hour, and throttle-powered e-bikes that can reach 28 miles per hour.
All e-bikes must be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Owners of the higher-speed e-bikes must have liability insurance.
Riders must be at least 15 years old and hold a valid driver’s license or a special e-bike license issued by NJMVC. Riders must wear a helmet.
An e-moto has two pedals, a motor of 750 watts or more, and a throttle that allows it to exceed 28 miles per hour, according to the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition. It is treated as a motorcycle and must comply with registration and driver’s licensing rules.
Councilman David Cohen thanked Craven for tracking the statistics on e-bikes and e-motos. He is the Princeton Council’s liaison to the Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee.
“It is super important for us to understand the role that the different types of vehicles play in injuries and crashes,” Cohen said.
“The data coming out of California is that e-bikes and e-motos are really seeing an enormous increase in the rate of injury compared to traditional bicycles,” he said.
Cohen said it is important to share the safety concerns around e-bikes and e-motos with the community.
