As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
BICYCLE
A device having a wheel or wheels with tires 12 inches or more in
diameter, connected by a frame of metal or wood, and so arranged as to be
propelled by human power. The term "bicycle" as used in this chapter shall
not include children's tricycles or baby carriages.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate a bicycle in
the Borough of Oceanport unless such person rides or operates such bicycle
in accordance with the following rules and regulations:
A. Lights 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 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. In addition to the red lamp, a red reflector may be
mounted on the rear, of a type approved by the New Jersey Division of Motor
Vehicles, which shall be visible from all distances from 50 feet to 300 feet
to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a
motor vehicle (N.J.S.A. 39:4-10).
B. Audible signal device required. 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 100 feet, except that a bicycle
shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren
or whistle (N.J.S.A. 39:4-11).
C. Brakes. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake
which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level,
clean pavement (N.J.S.A. 39:4-11.1).
D. 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 (N.J.S.A. 39:4-12).
E. Hitching on vehicles prohibited. No person riding upon
any bicycle, coaster, skates, sled or toy vehicle 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, coaster, skates, sled
or toy vehicle to attach the same or himself to any vehicle (N.J.S.A. 39:4-14).
F. Rights and duties of persons on bicycles.
(1) Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted
all the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the
driver of a vehicle by Chapter 4 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 (N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.1).
(2) 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.
G. Operating regulations. 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.
(1) 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.
(2) Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided
adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use
the roadway (N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.2).
H. Riding on sidewalks.
(1) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within
a business district.
(2) The Chief of Police is authorized to erect signs on any
sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon by any person,
and when such signs are in place no person shall disobey the
same.
(3) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk,
such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give
audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
I. 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.
J. Parking. No person shall park a bicycle upon a street
other than upon the roadway against the curb 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.
The Chief of Police or his duly authorized representative is hereby
authorized and directed to provide within the Borough of Oceanport bicycle
safety programs in conjunction with the Board of Education of the Borough
of Oceanport and in conjunction with the Division of Motor Vehicles, the County
of Monmouth, or any volunteer or service organization. Such bicycle safety
programs may include lectures, courses in traffic safety, voluntary inspections
of bicycles and publication of printed material to parents and children in
the Borough of Oceanport.
Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished by a penalty as set forth in Chapter
1, §
1-15, General penalty, or by impounding of such person's bicycle for a period not to exceed 30 days, or by any combination thereof.