MONTVALE—A crash involving a fast-moving e-bike and a car exiting a gas station on Chestnut Ridge Road has reignited community debate over the rules, risks, and responsibilities of sharing the road with personal electric vehicles.
The incident occurred on July 18 and was captured by a security camera. In the footage, now viral video, an e-bike traveling in the left lane slams into the side of a blue car making a left turn. The rider is thrown onto the hood and then the roof of the vehicle before falling to the pavement.
According to Montvale Police Chief Douglas McDowell, “The video shows an e-bike in the left lane slamming into the side of a car that made a legal left turn from a gas station on July 18.”
McDowell said that “the rider was a 15-year-old boy who was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center.” He added, “The teen’s speed was an estimated 40 mph. A police update added, “Fortunately, the e-bike rider is now recovering from injuries sustained in the crash.”
The video, shared publicly by police, and signal-boosted by Mayor Michael Ghassali, was released as a warning to the community. Pascack Press has reported incidents and similar concerns from around the Pascack Valley this summer.
As of press time, no citations had been issued, and police have not released findings assigning fault.
Viral Video, Polarized Reactions
The video has drawn more than 390,000 views online and generated hundreds of public comments—many expressing concern over the safety of high-powered e-bikes, while others defended the rights of non-car road users.
Some viewers criticized the car driver for not fully stopping or checking for oncoming traffic.
“That could have been a motorcycle,” one commenter wrote. “You have to look twice, every time.”
Others argued the e-bike was traveling too fast for anyone to reasonably anticipate.
“Nobody expects a bicycle to be going 40 mph in the left lane,” said another.
Still others called the situation a “shared fault,” pointing to the growing number of high-speed personal vehicles mixing with conventional traffic.
What Are the Rules?
McDowell did not specify the make or class of the e-bike involved. However, New Jersey law separates electric bicycles and scooters into specific categories, with differing legal requirements:
Class 1 & 2 E-Bikes:
- Maximum speed: 20 mph
- No age requirement
- No license, registration, or insurance required
- Helmets not required
Class 3 E-Bikes:
- Maximum speed: 28 mph
- Minimum age: 15
- Requires a valid moped license
- Must be registered and insured
- Helmets required
E-Scooters:
- Maximum speed: under 19 mph
- Riders under 17 must wear helmets
- Registration and insurance not required
McDowell has not confirmed the specific classification of the vehicle involved in the crash. Some commenters speculated that the vehicle may have been a high-speed, off-road capable electric motorcycle—such as a Surron—which can exceed 50 mph.
A Wake-Up Call for Riders and Drivers
While the teen involved in the crash is recovering, many residents expressed concern that incidents like this are becoming more frequent—and that both riders and drivers need to do better.
“These aren’t toys,” one commenter said. “We’re letting kids onto busy roads at highway speeds with no training, no gear, and no clear rules.”
Others emphasized that the issue extends beyond e-bikes.
“This could have been a cyclist, a motorcyclist, anyone,” said another. “Drivers need to stop treating non-car road users as afterthoughts.”
McDowell, in releasing the footage, underscored the importance of vigilance and safety on both sides of the handlebars.
The investigation remains open.