[Adopted 6-6-2002 by Ord. No. 9a-2002]
The purpose of this article is to promote safety by establishing a local law requiring skateboard users, scooter users, roller-skaters, in-line skaters and roller-bladers to wear protective headgear thereby reducing the possibility of injuries and fatalities. This article shall also identify prohibitions as they relate to the operation of skateboards, scooters, roller skates, in-line skates and roller blades within the City limits, and identify penalties as the relate to violations.
A. 
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED HELMET
A helmet meeting the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z 90.4 Bicycle Helmet Standards) or the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standards for Protective Head gear for Use in Bicycling.
REFLECTIVE CLOTHING
Any shirt, vest, jacket or any other readily visible piece of apparel equipped with a reflective surface, such as a phosphorescent tape of equivalent reflective surface.
ROLLER SKATE/ROLLER BLADES/IN-LINE SKATES
A manufactured or assembled device consisting of a frame or shoe having clamps or straps or both for fastening, with one or more rows of roller wheels permanently attached thereto, for skating or gliding by means of human foot or leg power.
SCOOTER
A skateboard which also includes a vertical bar and handlebar used for steering purposes.
SIDEWALK
That portion of a street between the curblines, or lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for the use of pedestrians.
SKATEBOARD
A narrow board of wood, plastic, fiberglass or similar material with roller skate or other type wheels attached to each end and used for gliding or moving on any hard surface by means of human foot and leg power.
WEARING AN APPROVED HELMET
Having an approved helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the head with the helmet straps.
B. 
In addition to the above definitions, any definitions of the New Jersey State Vehicle and Traffic Law shall be deemed to be included herein.
A. 
Riding on right. All in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, scooters and skateboards shall be operated near to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or usable right-hand shoulder in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic except when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to continue near the right-hand curb or edge.
B. 
Riding single file. Every person operating in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, a scooter or a skateboard on a highway shall ride in single file, and at no time shall in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, scooters or skateboards be operated two or more abreast.
C. 
Attachment to other vehicles prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person operating in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, a scooter or a skateboard to cling or attach himself to another moving vehicle.
D. 
Helmets required. No person under the age of 18 years of age shall operate in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, a scooter or a skateboard unless such person is wearing an approved helmet.
E. 
Headphones prohibited. It shall be unlawful to operate in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, a scooter or a skateboard while the operator is wearing more than one earphone attached to a radio, tape player or other audio device.
F. 
No person may operate in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, a scooter or a skateboard on any public street, highway, sidewalk, steps or parking lot within the City of Gloucester City in a careless manner so as to endanger the safety or property of either the operator, another person or the City of Gloucester City.
G. 
No person may operate in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, a scooter or a skateboard between the hours of dusk and dawn without wearing some defined type of reflective clothing.
H. 
Right-of-way. Whenever a person is operating in-line skates, roller skates, roller blades, a scooter or a skateboard upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any and all pedestrian traffic.
I. 
Standing, storage or parking skateboards. No person shall stand, park or otherwise place in a position of temporary storage a skateboard upon a highway, street, sidewalk or against any building abutting a sidewalk in such a manner that shall obstruct or render injury to a pedestrian or interfere with vehicular traffic.
This article shall be enforced by the Gloucester City Police Department.
A. 
Any person violating any provision of this article shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $50 for a first offense; for a second offense within a five-year period, a fine not to exceed $100; and for a third or any subsequent offense within a five-year period, a fine not to exceed $250.
B. 
In the event that a person violating any provision of this article shall be under 16 years of age, it shall be the responsibility of the parent, custodian or person having legal guardianship of such person to be certain that the child complies with the provisions of this article. If the child does not comply with the provisions of this article, then such parent, custodian or legal guardian shall be responsible as if that person had violated the article, and the fines set forth in Subsection A of this section shall apply to such parent, custodian or legal guardian.
C. 
The Court may waive any fine for a person who violates the provisions of this article that refer to helmet requirements where the Court is supplied with proof that, between the date of violation and the appearance date for violation of that section, a person has purchased, rented or otherwise secured possession of a helmet.