HOBOKEN, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy has officially given the thumbs-up to a law that authorizes e-scooters in New Jersey. And Hoboken – the Mile Square City – is primed to be on the frontline of the "revolution."

On Monday, Murphy signed S-731 into law, which approves the use of low-speed electric scooters and e-bikes in New Jersey. The new law regulates e-scooters and e-bikes in a similar way to ordinary bicycles. The transportation devices – which must travel 20 miles per hour or slower – are allowed on streets, highways and bicycle paths. An operator of a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized scooter is not required to register the scooter or e-bike, furnish proof of insurance or have a driver's license. All statutes, rules, and regulations that apply to ordinary bicycles will apply to low-speed electric bicycles and motorized scooters.

The primary sponsors of the new law were Senator Linda Greenstein, Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and Assemblyman Jamel Holley. (Read the full bill here)

"Electric bicycles and motorized scooters offer a fantastic alternative to cars and their use will serve to cut both emissions and congestion in our cities," Murphy said. "As we seek to support New Jersey's Innovation Economy, this bill will help encourage a true re-imagining of urban commuting."

"Permitting the use of low-speed electric bikes supports our efforts to protect the environment by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions," said Assemblyman Mukherji, who represents Hoboken, Jersey City, Union City and Weehawken. "By bringing our motor vehicle laws into the 21st century, we will enable the rollout of e-bikes in Jersey City's bike share program and expand the transportation options available to New Jerseyans." ROLLING OUT E-SCOOTERS IN HOBOKEN

The new law was immediately praised by e-scooter company Lime, which is set to roll out a pilot program in Hoboken "next week," it stated Tuesday.

"Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature helped secure a more reliable, affordable and accessible transportation future for Garden State residents, and Lime is ready to get rolling," said Phil Jones, senior director of East Coast government and strategic partnerships.

As part of the Hoboken campaign, the city will partner with Lime and P3GM, the operator of JerseyBike, to make 300 electric scooters available for rental by residents and visitors. Under a Hoboken municipal ordinance, the scooters will be allowed to use the city's bike lanes, but will not be permitted to ride on sidewalks. See related article: Hoboken 1st In New Jersey To Embrace E-Scooter 'Revolution' The e-scooter program got enthusiastic support from Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Councilman Michael DeFusco, who said the technology has the potential to "revolutionize" how residents and visitors get around Hoboken.

