Brigantine Bike, Pedestrian & Vehicle Safety for Summer 2020

Have a Safe Summer.

Summer season 2020 is underway and the Brigantine Police Department reminds all residents and visitors to be mindful of increase bicycle & pedestrian activity.

It’s the responsibility of both the vehicle operator and the cyclist to remain alert & cautious. Please follow New Jersey Motor Vehicle Laws to ensure that everyone arrives safely at their destination.

  • Practice Bike Safety.
  • Always wear a helmet and use bike lights
  • Follow all posted traffic signs
  • Do not ride against the flow of traffic
  • Do not impede traffic (blocking lane)
  • Do not assume a vehicle can predict your actions or stop immediately

Vehicle operators, SLOW DOWN and PUT DOWN YOUR PHONES.

It’s always the goal of the Brigantine Police Department to ensure the safety of all. With that in mind, the BPD will be increasing patrols focused on distracted driving & bicycle violations.

Failure to observe New Jersey motor vehicle laws could result in traffic summonses for both the vehicle operators as well as cyclists.

We want everyone to operate safely so we can all enjoy a GREAT start to Summer.

***NJ BICYCLE LAWS***

Similar to our last post about pedestrian laws, we want to also reiterate the importance of bicycle safety and proper sharing of the roadways. Below are the NJ State laws specific to bicycles. Please read them over to better understand your responsibilities and to stay safe!

***********************************************************************
***39:4-14.1 Rights, duties of bicycle riders on roadways***
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by chapter four of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes and all supplements thereto except as to those provisions thereof which by their nature can have no application. Regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated herein.
***********************************************************************
***39:4-14.2. Keeping to right; exceptions; single file***
Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction; provided, however, that any person may move to the left under any of the following situations: (a) to make a left turn from a left-turn lane or pocket; (b) to avoid debris, drains or other hazardous conditions that make it impracticable to ride at the right side of the roadway; (c) to pass a slower moving vehicle; (d) to occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; (e) to travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded.

Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded, but otherwise shall ride in single file except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
***********************************************************************
***39:4-10.1 Bicycle helmets, requirements***
A person under 17 years of age shall not operate, or ride upon a bicycle as a passenger, unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet which meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z90.4 bicycle helmet standard) or the Snell Memorial Foundation’s 1990 Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling. This requirement shall apply to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat which is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.
***********************************************************************
***39:4-10. Lights and reflectors on bicycles***
Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front, and with a lamp on the rear which shall emit a red light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the rear. In addition to the red lamp, a red reflector may be mounted on the rear, of a type approved by the division which shall be visible from all distances from fifty feet to three hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
***********************************************************************
***39:4-11. Audible signal***
No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle.
**************************************************************************
39:4-12. Position of hands and feet; carrying another person***
A person propelling or riding on a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto, nor shall he ride with his feet removed from the pedals, or with both hands removed from the handlebars, nor shall he practice any trick or fancy riding in a street. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

Subscribe BrigantineNOW

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *