[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Oceanport 12-5-1968 by Ord. No. 271 (Ch. 26 of the 1970 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 64.
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.