[Added 10-1-2008 as Ord. No. DR-377; amended 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. Z-29; 9-15-2010 by Ord. No. Z-57]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Ordinance No. Z-511, adopted 9-6-2017, changed the title of this article from “Bicycle Lanes” to its current title.
The provisions of this section shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or upon any public way within the City of Hoboken, subject only to those exceptions stated in this section.
A. 
Street segments with sufficient adjacent right-of-way shall be considered acceptable for installation of Class I bicycle lanes physically separated from the street consisting of a five-foot-wide bicycle lane per travel direction demarcated with solid white lane striping and yellow striping bifurcating opposing bicycle travel lanes; these lanes shall include standard bicycle symbols painted on the street and optional contrast coloring within the bike lanes clearly indicating the space as a bicycle lane.
B. 
Streets segments with a travel lane of 15 feet or greater shall be considered acceptable for installation of Class II bicycle lanes consisting of a five-foot-wide bicycle lane demarcated with solid white line lane striping; these lanes shall include standard bicycle symbols painted on the street and optional contrast coloring within the bike lanes clearly indicating the space as a bicycle lane.
C. 
Streets segments with a travel lane of less than 15 feet or with traffic patterns that make Class I or II bicycle lanes impractical, shall be considered acceptable for installation of Class III bicycle route markings consisting of standard bicycle symbols and double chevrons, also known as sharrows, painted on the street to communicate that drivers shall share the road with bicyclists; these routes shall also include "Share the Road" posted signage.
D. 
Street designations and typical lane configurations are meant to be standard guidelines; however, all final bicycle lane and route configurations are subject to professional review and recommendation by the Department of Transportation and Parking and shall be included in the City Code.
E. 
The following roadways are hereby designated as bicycle lanes and/or routes.
[Amended 9-24-2011 by Ord. No. Z-125; 12-3-2014 by Ord. No. Z-322; 2-3-2016 by Ord. No. Z-394; 5-17-2017 by Ord. No. Z-492; 12-20-2017 by Ord. No. Z-533]
Street
Begin
End
Class
Adams Street
Newark Street
Ninth Street
II
Adams Street
Eleventh Street
Sixteenth Street
II
Clinton Street
Newark Street
Thirteenth Street
II
Clinton Street
Fourteenth Street
Sixteenth Street
II
Eleventh Street
Willow Avenue
Sinatra Drive North
II
Fifteenth Street
Madison Street
Hudson Street
II
First Street
Hudson Street
Sinatra Drive
II
Garden Street
Fourteenth Street
Observer Highway
II
Grand Street
Ninth Street
Newark Street
II
Grand Street
Sixteenth Street
Eleventh Street
II
Harrison Street
Fourth Street
Newark Street
II
Hudson Street
Eleventh Street
Eighth Street
II
Hudson Street
Fourth Street
Observer Highway
II
Jackson Street
Eighth Street
Ninth Street
II
Jackson Street
Newark Street
Seventh Street
II
Jefferson Street
Fifteenth Street
Thirteenth Street
II
Jefferson Street
Twelfth Street
Observer Highway
II
Madison Street
Observer Highway
Eleventh Street
II
Monroe Street
Twelfth Street
Observer Highway
II
Newark Street
Hudson Street
Sinatra Drive
II
Newark Street
Jefferson Street
Willow Avenue
I
Observer Highway
Henderson Street
Hudson Street
I
Park Avenue
Ninth Street
Fourteenth Street
II
River Street
Hudson Place
Newark Street
II
Second Street
Sinatra Drive
River Street
II
Washington Street
Observer Highway
Eighth Street
II
Willow Avenue
Eleventh Street
Observer Highway
II
A. 
Class I bicycle lanes shall be separated from vehicle traffic by a curb or median.
B. 
Class II bicycle lanes shall be located on the right side of two-way streets and the left side of one-way streets, between parking and travel lanes.
C. 
Class III bicycle routes shall offset markings to the right of the travel lane center line so that bicyclists are guided outside of the door sweep area of parked cars.
D. 
Appropriate striping, pavement markings, and/or signage shall be used at intersections where streets transition between one-way and two-way traffic flow.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state and the traffic provisions of this Code applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature are inapplicable to such persons.
A. 
Obedience to traffic control devices.
(1) 
Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(2) 
Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that a turning movement is restricted no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any such sign, except where that person dismounts from the bicycle to make the turn, in which event such person shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.
(3) 
No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in any direction except that permitted of vehicular traffic traveling on the same side of the roadway.
(4) 
Any person operating a bicycle shall stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
B. 
Riding on roadways and bicycle paths generally.
(1) 
Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, unless an exclusive bicycle lane is provided.
(2) 
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(3) 
Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that such person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:
(a) 
Whenever overtaking or passing another bicycle, vehicle or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if such overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.
(b) 
When preparing for a turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(c) 
When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.
C. 
Manner of riding bicycle.
(1) 
A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
(2) 
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
D. 
Speed restrictions. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the condition then existing.
E. 
Yielding right-of-way from bicycle path or sidewalks. Every person riding a bicycle on a bike path or sidewalk that is about to enter or cross a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic on such roadway.
F. 
Leaving bicycle lanes. No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal.
G. 
Motor vehicles in bicycle lanes. Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway any person operating a motor vehicle on such a roadway shall not drive or park in the bicycle lane except for the purposes of performing a parking maneuver where parking is permitted, to enter or leave the roadway, or to maneuver around a parked vehicle impeding traffic flow.
H. 
Bicycles emerging from alleys or driveways; yielding right-of-way. The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway, or building, shall, upon approaching a sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area. Upon entering the roadway the operator shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway.
I. 
Clinging to vehicles prohibited. No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself to any streetcar or vehicle upon a roadway.
J. 
Riding on sidewalks.
(1) 
No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk at a speed greater than the walking speed of pedestrians.
(2) 
Persons riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.
(3) 
Persons riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall keep as close to the curb as is practicable to allow pedestrians to walk along sidewalks without impedance.
(4) 
No person shall operate a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle, as further defined herein, on the public sidewalk, regardless of motor operation. Pedestrians can stand next to and push a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle while walking on the sidewalk.
[Added 3-17-2021 by Ord. No. B-341]
(5) 
No person shall ride a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle, as further defined herein, on the portion of the waterfront walkway that begins at the north end of Sinatra Park running south to the municipal border, including but not limited to the promenade area adjacent to Blue Eyes Cafe nor the portion of the Waterfront Walkway that begins at the south end of the skateboard park and runs north to the municipal border. This prohibition shall not include bike lanes or roadways along the waterfront.
[Added 3-17-2021 by Ord. No. B-341]
(6) 
"Low-speed electric bicycle" means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that meets the requirements of one of the following classifications: "Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle," which means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; or "Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle," which means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
[Added 3-17-2021 by Ord. No. B-341]
(7) 
"Motorized bicycle" means a pedal bicycle having a helper motor characterized in that either the maximum piston displacement is less than 50 cc or said motor is rated at no more than 1.5 brake horsepower or is powered by an electric drive motor and said bicycle is capable of a maximum speed of no more than 25 miles per hour on a flat surface or a pedal bicycle having an electric motor that is capable of propelling the bicycle in excess of 20 miles per hour with a maximum motor-powered speed of no more than 28 miles per hour on a flat surface.
[Added 3-17-2021 by Ord. No. B-341]
K. 
Carrying articles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
L. 
Parking. No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or in a designated bicycle parking area or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle, or against a building or at the curb in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
[Amended 12-3-2014 by Ord. No. Z-322]
M. 
Lamps and equipment on bicycles.
(1) 
Bicycles 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 red reflector on the rear of a type which shall be visible from 50 feet to 300 feet to the rear. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
(2) 
A bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use, any siren or whistle upon a bicycle.
(3) 
Bicycles shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(4) 
Bicycles may be equipped with a bell to serve as audible signal for the purposes of overtaking and passing any pedestrian or other bicycles.
N. 
Bicycle parking, generally.
[Added 9-6-2017 by Ord. No. Z-511]
(1) 
Bicycles are permitted to be secured at the bicycle racks in the City for up to seven consecutive days without being utilized.
(2) 
Bicycles may be attached or secured to the bicycle rack with a U-lock, chain lock, or any other type of lock that is made specifically for bicycles. No person shall attach or secure a bicycle to any fixed object not suited for bicycle parking. No person shall leave a bicycle lying on or standing upon the sidewalk in such a manner so as to hinder or impede pedestrians.
O. 
Abandonment of bicycles, generally.
[Added 9-6-2017 by Ord. No. Z-511]
(1) 
A bicycle may be deemed abandoned by the City if:
(a) 
It has been parked for a period of seven or more consecutive calendar days in the same location; or
(b) 
It appears visually to be in a state of prolonged disuse such that it has deflated tires, a rusted chain, accumulated leaves and debris associated with it, bent or missing wheels, bent handlebars, or other missing parts; or
(c) 
Seventy-five percent or more of the bicycle is rusted; or
(d) 
It is found in any other condition in which a bicycle would be deemed to be abandoned.
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon any bicycle within the City.
(3) 
In the event that a bicycle is deemed to be abandoned by the City's Transportation and Parking Department, the Department shall have the authority to place an abandoned bicycle notice, in the form of an adhesive sticker, on the bicycle itself to notify the owner that said bicycle is deemed to be abandoned pursuant to this subsection and that it will be removed and disposed of if not moved.
(4) 
The notice in the form of an adhesive sticker shall state the following:
(a) 
The date after which the bicycle may be removed if the owner/user does not remove and reclaim it; and
(b) 
The name and contact information for a City representative to contact in case the bicycle has been mistakenly identified as abandoned.
(5) 
Once an abandoned notice sticker has been placed on a bicycle, the owner of the bicycle shall have 14 calendar days as set forth on the notice sticker to remove the bicycle from the location. If it is not removed within the fourteen-calendar-day notice period as provided on the sticker, it may thereafter be removed from its location by any means necessary and disposed of by the City in accordance with the law.
P. 
No person shall ride a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle, as further defined herein, within public parks, and riders must dismount from the low-speed electric bicycle, and walk it if necessary, to traverse the park to reach their desired destination.
[Added 3-17-2021 by Ord. No. B-341]
[Amended 4-3-2019 by Ord. No. B-121]
In addition to bicycle riders, the following users are permitted in bicycle lanes:
A. 
Individuals using roller blades.
B. 
Individuals using low-speed electric vehicles, as defined by New Jersey statute as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts whose maximum speed is less than 20 miles per hour and meets the requirement of a Class 1 or Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle or a scooter with a floorboard that can be stood upon by the operator, with handlebars, and an electric motor that is capable of propelling the device, with or without human propulsion, at a maximum speed of less than 19 miles per hour.
C. 
Motorized wheelchairs with an orange safety flag at least five feet above street level.
D. 
Bicyclers with attached trailers for children will also have the same orange safety flag attached to the rear of the portage vehicle.
[Amended 9-17-2018 by Ord. No. B-63; 12-21-2022 by Ord. No. B-513]
In the event that any individual violates the terms of this article, he/she shall be subject to a fine in the Municipal Court of the City of Hoboken in an amount of $150.