Follow The Law If You Are Planning To Bike In New Jersey

Bicycles are experiencing an upsurge in popularity due to their convenience and portability. Besides that, bicycles are environmentally-friendly and do not require licenses, meaning that a large proportion of cyclists are children and young people. However, just like with driving a car, there are several laws you have to follow when you bike in New Jersey. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of these laws below.

Bicycle Safety Laws

Many of the laws for biking in New Jersey are centered around safety.

• Helmets: All cyclists under the age of 17 are required to have on an approved helmet at all times. This applies even if they are the passenger. That being said, the protective features of helmets do not go away once a person turns 18, and adults should exercise sound personal judgment in deciding whether to wear one.
• Lights: These laws apply when biking at night. To the front, every bicycle should be equipped with a headlamp that emits white light visible for at least 500 feet. To the rear, a similar lamp emitting red light should be visible from the same distance, and in addition, a red reflector is also necessary. These lights and reflectors can be found and bought inexpensively in local stores.
• Audible Signals: All bikes must be fitted with a bell that can be heard at least 100 feet away. You can use any other audible signal with the exception of sirens and whistles.
• Brakes: All bikes must come with brakes that can make wheels skid when stopping on dry, clean and even pavement.
• Cycling safely: Cyclists should not attempt any “tricks” to bike in New Jersey, including but not limited to, riding with feet off the pedals or hands off the handlebars.
• Limits in carrying another person: Bikes should not carry more people than their intended capacity. For instance, if your bike only has two seats, you should only be carrying one passenger.

Road Safety

These laws specifically apply to bikes on the road.

• Hitching is prohibited: Cyclists are not allowed to attach their bikes to any vehicle on the road.
• Rights and Obligations: All cyclists on a road are granted the same rights and subject to the same duties as the drivers of any motor vehicle.
• Rules to observe: Cyclists should always ride in the same direction as traffic, and stay as closely to the right of the road side as possible. A cyclist is allowed to move left if any of the below situations apply: making a left turn, avoiding an obstacle on the right, passing a slow moving vehicle, moving to occupy another lane or moving to ride next to another cyclist when traffic conditions permit.

Seek Legal Help if you are the Victim of a Bike Accident

If you have sustained injuries as the victim of a bike accident, the best course of action would be to engage an experienced attorney.  At Corradino & Papa, LLC, we specialize in representing victims of accidents and personal injuries. With over 25 years of experience, we have an excellent track record of obtaining millions of dollars in compensation each year. Contact us to start your free consultation today.

Disclaimer: Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.