[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the City
of Union City 1-7-1997 as § 4-8 of the 1996 Revised General Ordinances.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
Each person shall operate or propel a bicycle, tricycle or similar
vehicle only in the manner of and subject to these regulations:
A.
Every person operating such vehicle shall:
(1)
Obey all direction arrows on one-way streets.
(2)
Ride only on the right side of the street.
(3)
Not hold on nor hitch such bicycle, tricycle or similar vehicle to
any other vehicle.
(4)
Not ride at night without a light on the front and reflector or lamp
on the rear.
(5)
Not ride abreast of another bicycle, tricycle or similar vehicle.
(6)
Not ride out of alleys and driveways or from behind parked cars without
stopping and looking to see that sidewalks or streets are clear of
traffic.
(7)
Obey all traffic signals and the orders of traffic officers and school
patrols.
(8)
Not engage in any trick riding or weaving in or upon any street or
public highway.
(9)
Become familiar with and obey all traffic rules and regulations.
(10)
Be watchful and alert at all times and be safety minded.
(11)
Turn only at street intersections.
(12)
Signal on all turns.
(13)
Pass to the left when overtaking any vehicle that is slow moving.
(14)
Pass to the right when meeting oncoming vehicles.
(15)
Stop at all stop signs.
(16)
Not coast with both feet off the pedals.
(17)
Not ride on icy pavements.
(18)
Not carry large or bulky packages.
(19)
Not ride on sidewalks, except in prescribed areas.
B.
Every such vehicle shall:
(1)
When not in use, be held up by a stand and not impede pedestrian
or vehicular traffic.
(2)
Carry an alarm bell which, when rung, is audible for a distance of
100 feet.
(3)
Vehicles shall not carry more than one person, except where they
are constructed for more.
(4)
Have attached to it a light or such other illuminating power as to
be plainly visible 100 yards ahead. Such illumination shall be kept
lighted when the vehicle is in use between the hours of sunset and
sunrise.
[Added 9-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
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.
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.
[Added 9-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
Prohibited motor vehicles: Any electric bicycle or electric
scooter with an electric motor greater than 750 watts is not to be
considered a "low-speed" electric bicycle/scooter and shall be effectively
prohibited from operation in the City of Union City, unless such vehicle
is specifically authorized by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Code,[1] and is properly registered and insured, and operated by
a licensed operator.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 et seq.
[Added 9-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
A.
Rights and duties of persons on low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed electric scooters. Every person riding a low-speed electric bicycle or a low-speed electric scooter 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 Chapter 4 of Title 39 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes, and all supplements thereto, except as to those provisions thereof which by their nature can have no application. In particular, any person operating a low-speed electric bicycle or a low-speed electric scooter shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
B.
Lights and reflectors. Every low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed
electric scooter, 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 state motor
vehicle commission, 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 head lamps on a motor vehicle.
C.
Audible signal. No person shall operate a low-speed electric bicycle
or low-speed electric scooter 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 such low-speed electric bicycle and
scooters shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon
a low-speed bicycle or scooter any siren or whistle.
D.
Position of hands and feet. A person propelling or riding on a low-speed
electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter shall not ride with
his feet removed from the pedals/footrests, or with hands removed
from the handlebars, nor shall be practice any trick or fancy riding
in a street.
E.
Carrying passengers. No person operating a low-speed electric bicycle
or a low-speed electric scooter shall allow another person to ride
as a passenger unless the passenger is carried in a proper bike seat,
trailer or other accessory that complies with current regulations
and contains adequate provision for retaining the passenger in place
and for protecting the passenger; and the passenger is wearing a properly
fitted and fastened helmet meeting the standards set forth in N.J.S.A.
39:4-10.1.
F.
Hitching on vehicles prohibited. No person riding upon any low-speed
electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter shall attach the same
or himself to any streetcar or vehicle upon a roadway and no operator
of any streetcar or vehicle shall knowingly allow any person riding
upon any low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter
to attach the same or himself to the streetcar or vehicle.
G.
Helmet. Persons shall not operate a low-speed electric bicycle or
low-speed electric scooter unless they wear a protective helmet.
H.
Keeping to the right; exceptions; single-file. Every person operating
a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter 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; provided, however, that any person may move
to the left under any of the following situations:
(1)
To make a left turn from a left-turn lane or pocket;
(2)
To avoid debris, drains or other hazardous conditions that make it
impracticable to ride at the right side of the roadway;
(3)
To pass a slower moving vehicle;
(4)
To occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as
other traffic;
(5)
To travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded.
I.
Riding on sidewalks. No person over the age of 13 shall ride a low-speed
electric bicycle or a low-speed electric scooter upon a sidewalk within
the City of Union City, or where signs prohibit the same. Whenever
such person is riding a low-speed electric bicycle or a low-speed
electric scooter 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.
J.
Riding on sidewalks in business districts. No person, even those
under the age of 13, shall ride a low-speed electric bicycle or a
low-speed electric scooter upon a sidewalk in a business district
between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. within the City of Union
City, or where signs prohibit the same. The Police Department is hereby
authorized to erect signs on any roadway or sidewalk within the City
of Union City where it is deemed necessary to prohibit the riding
of low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed electric scooters thereon
by any person; and when such signs are in place no person shall disobey
the same.
K.
Carrying articles. No person operating a low-speed electric bicycle
or low-speed electric scooter shall carry any package, bundle or article
which prevents the rider from keeping both hands upon the handlebars.
L.
Parking. No person shall park a low-speed electric bicycle or a low-speed
electric scooter upon a street except where an appropriate rack or
spots are provided. All low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed electric
scooters, when parked on sidewalks, shall be parked only in such manner
as not to obstruct or impede the normal movement of pedestrian or
other traffic or access to adjacent buildings.
M.
Speed. No person shall operate a low-speed electric bicycle or a
low-speed electric scooter 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. In no event shall speed exceed 20 miles per hour.
N.
Reckless or careless riding. No person shall ride a low-speed electric
bicycle or a low-speed electric scooter in a reckless or careless
manner which endangers or is likely to endanger the safety or welfare
of other persons or property.
[Added 9-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
The Police Department is hereby authorized to promulgate, with
the approval of the Board of Commissioners, such further rules and
regulations concerning registration, operation, equipment and safety
of low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters as
deemed necessary from time to time.
[Added 9-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
A.
All persons and businesses who own, rent, hire or lease bicycles,
low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed electric scooters, in the
City of Union City for the delivery of items in commerce, such as
messages, parcels, food, wares and/or other merchandise or goods,
or for the delivery of items in commerce destined for the City of
Union City:
(1)
Shall keep each bicycle, low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed
electric scooter in a safe operating condition, and shall advise the
persons using said bicycles, low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed
electric scooters of the regulations for use in the City of Union
City;
(2)
Shall post a copy of this chapter in a conspicuous place where said
bicycles are kept, rented, hired or leased, if such location is within
the City of Union City; and
(3)
Shall ensure that any employee, agent, or contractor, while utilizing
low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooters for hire
by, for or on behalf of such person or business, shall wear a reflective
vest, and have affixed a tag, license, decal or marking affixed to
the low-speed electric scooter or bicycle clearly identifying such
low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter as being
operated for hire by, for or on behalf of such person or business.
B.
For the purposes of this section to "hire" includes persons or businesses
whose employees or agents utilize low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed
electric scooters to deliver their messages, parcels, food, wares
and/or other merchandise or goods during the time such low-speed electric
bicycles or low-speed electric scooters is/are being used for such
purpose, whether or not such low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed
electric scooters is/are owned, leased or rented by the person or
business.
C.
A person or businesses' failure to comply with this section
shall be considered a violation of this chapter.
D.
Any violation of this chapter by an operator of a low-speed electric
bicycle or low-speed electric scooters while in the hire of a person
or business, shall also be considered a separate violation of this
chapter by such person or business.
[Added 9-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
A.
All persons and businesses who own, rent, hire or lease bicycles,
low-speed electric bicycles or low-speed electric scooters, in the
City of Union City for the delivery of items in commerce, such as
messages, parcels, food, wares and/or other merchandise or goods,
shall maintain proper registration tags and licenses for each bicycle,
low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter issued by
the Union City Police Department.
B.
All persons and businesses who rent, hire or lease bicycles, low-speed
electric bicycles or low-speed electric scooters for the delivery
of items in commerce destined for the City of Union City, but that
are not located within the City of Union City, shall comply with any
municipal registration requirements applicable to bicycles, low-speed
electric bicycles or low-speed electric scooters, that may be in force
in the location where such business or person's business is based.
C.
A person or businesses' failure to comply with this section
shall be considered a violation of this chapter.
D.
Any violation of this chapter by an operator of a low-speed electric
bicycle or low-speed electric scooters while in the hire of a person
or business, shall also be considered a separate violation of this
chapter by such person or business.
[Added 9-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
Each person violating any provisions of this chapter shall, upon first conviction, be liable to a penalty of $50, and upon a second conviction shall be liable to a penalty of $100. No court appearance shall be required for a first or second alleged offense, but will be required for a third or subsequent alleged offense. Any third or subsequent conviction shall be liable to the penalty as stated in § 1-30.
