Borough of Bergenfield, NJ Chapter 111 Bicycles

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bergenfield 12-16-1975 by Ord. No. 1046 as Sec. 6-7 of the Revised General Ordinances; amended in its entirety 10-20-2020 by Ord. No. 20-2574. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

General penalty — See Ch. 1, Art. I.

Parking of bicycles in parks — See Ch. 223, § 223-2A(9).

§ 111-1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

BICYCLE

A vehicle with two wheels propelled solely by human power and having pedals, handle bars and a seat. This definition also applies to include bicycles for two or more people having seats and pedals arranged in tandem.

§ 111-2 Rules and regulations.

The following rules and regulations shall apply to all bicycles operated within the boundaries of the Borough of Bergenfield:

A. 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 500 feet to the front and with a lamp on the rear which shall emit a red light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear.

B. 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 such person ride with feet removed from the pedals nor with both hands removed from the handlebars, nor shall such person practice any trick or fancy riding in any street. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed.

C. No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway, and no operator of any vehicle shall knowingly allow any person riding upon any bicycle to attach the same or to a vehicle.

D. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

E. Every person riding or operating a bicycle shall obey all traffic signals, signs and devices in the same manner and to the same extent as would be required if said person was operating a motor vehicle.

F. Every person riding or operating a bicycle shall be required to dismount or walk his or her bicycle across heavily traveled streets.

G. Every person riding or operating a bicycle shall be required immediately before entering a street or sidewalk from any alley or driveway to come to a complete stop for the purpose of making an observation in order to ensure that said street or sidewalk is clear of pedestrians or vehicles.

H. 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.

I. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall ride in single file, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

J. Regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway, street or any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated herein.

K. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a business district between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. within the Borough of Bergenfield or where signs prohibit the same. The Police Department is hereby authorized to erect signs on any roadway or sidewalk within the Borough where it is deemed necessary to prohibit the riding of bicycles thereon by any person; and, when such signs are in place, no person shall disobey the same. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk or pedestrian right-of-way, such person shall ride in single file only, yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

L. Carrying articles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

M. Parking. No person shall park a bicycle upon a street except where a bicycle rack is so provided. All bicycles, when parked on sidewalks, shall be parked only in such manner as not to obstruct pedestrian traffic or access to adjacent buildings.

N. Speed. No person shall operate a bicycle at speeds faster than are reasonable or proper, which in no case shall be in excess of legal speed limits, unless participating in an officially sponsored or sanctioned rally or road race.

O. Reckless or careless riding. No person shall ride a bicycle in a reckless or careless manner which endangers or is likely to endanger the safety or welfare of other persons or property.

P. The requirements of N.J.S.A. 39:4-10.1, which require a person under 17 years of age who rides a bicycle to wear an appropriate helmet which meets the standards of the American International Standards Institute (ANSI Z90.4, Bicycle Helmet Standards) or the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1984 Standard for Protective Head Gear for Use in Bicycling, is incorporated by reference.

Q. The Chief of Police is herewith authorized to issue additional rules and regulations to further the public safety of this chapter.

R. Violation:

(1) A person who violates a requirement above shall be warned of the violation by the enforcing official. The parent or legal guardian of that person also may be fined a maximum of $25, subsequent offense of $100, if it can be shown that the parent or guardian failed to exercise reasonable supervision or control over the person's conduct.

(2) Penalties provided in this section for a failure to wear a helmet may be waived if an offender or the parent/guardian presents suitable proof that an approved helmet was owned at the time of the violation or has been purchased since the violation.