[1991 Code § 63-1; Ord. No. 2001-05]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BICYCLE
A device having two wheels, with tires connected by a frame and arranged to be propelled by human power. This definition shall not apply to toy bicycles or velocipedes.
ROADWAY
That portion of a highway improved, designated or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.
SIDEWALK
That portion of a highway intended for the use of pedestrians between the curbline or the lateral line of a shoulder or, if none, the lateral line of the roadway and the adjacent right-of-way line.
[1991 Code § 63-2; Ord. No. 2001-05]
No person who resides within the Borough shall ride or propel a bicycle on any street or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles unless the bicycle has been licensed and a license decal is attached thereto as provided in this article. This article shall also apply to a person who resides outside the Borough but who operates a bicycle within the limits of the Borough more than casually or on a transient basis.
[1991 Code § 63-3; Ord. No. 2001-05]
A. 
Application for a bicycle license and license plate shall be made upon a form provided by the Borough and shall be made to the Chief of Police.
B. 
The Chief of Police, upon receiving proper application from the parent or guardian or, if an adult, from the adult shall issue a bicycle license. Licenses shall be issued annually during April, to be effective from May 1 to April 30. Any license obtained during the license year shall be effective only until the end of that license year, and a new license shall be obtained at that time. A newly acquired bicycle shall be licensed within 14 days of acquisition.
C. 
The Chief of Police shall not issue a license for any bicycle when he knows or has reasonable ground to believe that the applicant is not the owner of or entitled to the possession of such bicycle.
D. 
The Chief of Police shall keep a record of the number of each license, the date issued, the name and address of the person to whom issued and the number on the frame of the bicycle for which issued.
[1991 Code § 63-4; Ord. No. 2001-05]
The applicant shall demonstrate to the Chief of Police that the bicycle is in a safe mechanical condition and that he is capable of operating the same and is familiar with the traffic laws of the State of New Jersey, as well as the provisions of this article, relative to the operation and equipment of the bicycle. Before issuing a bicycle license to an applicant, the Chief of Police shall first provide the applicant with a copy of this article.
[1991 Code § 63-5; Ord. No. 2001-05]
Upon compliance by the applicant with the requirements herein set forth, the Police Department shall issue to the applicant a registration decal, which shall be fastened to the frame of the bicycle in a conspicuous place. Removal of the tag shall be grounds for revocation of the license.
[1991 Code § 63-6; Ord. No. 2001-05]
A. 
The following rules and regulations shall be observed in the operation of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, skates and roller blades in the streets and public places of the Borough:
(1) 
Every person operating a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, skates or roller blades shall at all times operate such vehicle with due regard for the safety of other persons and vehicles lawfully upon the streets, highways, parkways and public places, as well as for his own safety, and shall at all times and under all conditions yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on the streets, highways, public places and crosswalks.
(2) 
No person shall operate a bicycle upon the streets, highways, parkways and public places of the Borough during the period of one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise unless the bicycle is equipped with a front light casting a beam of white light in front of the bicycle visible for not less than 500 feet and also with a rear signal, i.e., an official reflector or red light, visible for not less than 500 feet.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. 1-8)]
(3) 
No person shall operate a bicycle upon the streets, highways, parkways and public places of the Borough that is not equipped with adequate brakes and warning signals, all of which shall be in proper working order during all the time of operation of the bicycle after police inspection and approval.
(4) 
The hand signal shall be used to indicate that an operator is about to turn or change the direction of any bicycle.
(5) 
No person operating a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, skates or roller blades upon any street, highway or parking or public place shall attach himself to any other moving vehicle.
(6) 
No person operating a bicycle for carrying only the rider shall carry another person on the front or rear frame or handlebars of a bicycle.
B. 
These rules and regulations are intended to supplement the laws of the State of New Jersey and not to alter them. The laws of the State of New Jersey are incorporated herein as if set forth in detail.
[1991 Code § 63-7; Ord. No. 2001-05]
In the following described areas, the riding of a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, skates or roller blades shall be prohibited on the sidewalks. In those areas, bicycles shall be walked on the sidewalk.
A. 
On Mercer Street from the intersection of Ward Street north to Main Street.
B. 
On South Main Street from the intersection of Ward Street north to Main Street.
C. 
On Main Street from the intersection of Mercer Street and South Main Street north to the intersection of Franklin Street.
D. 
On Stockton Street from the intersection of Academy Street to Main Street.
E. 
On Franklin Street from the intersection of Broad Street to Main Street.
F. 
On North Main Street from the intersection of Monmouth Street south to Main Street.
[1991 Code § 63-8; Ord. No. 2001-05]
A. 
Bicycles.
(1) 
Any person under the age of 18 who violates any of the provisions of this article relating to vehicle and traffic laws or the bicycle safe-riding rules and regulations and the official police instructions for the safe operation of a bicycle shall be reprimanded for the first offense, in writing, by the Borough Police Department, addressed to the offender's parent or guardian, stating the nature of the violation and a warning that a repetition of the violation or any other violation shall be prevented or the violator shall be penalized by removal and detention of the license decal from his bicycle for a period not to exceed 30 days or by impounding his bicycle for a period of time not to exceed 30 days; and during that period of time, the offender shall not ride any bicycle on the streets. On the second complaint, the offender shall be summoned to appear at police headquarters with his bicycle, accompanied by his parent or guardian, and, after a hearing on the violation, may be punished by removal and detention of the license decal from his bicycle for a period not to exceed 30 days or by impounding of the bicycle for a period not to exceed 30 days by the hearing officer with the approval, if possible, of the parent or guardian, but the decision of the hearing officer shall prevail.
(2) 
Any person over the age of 18 who violates any of the provisions of this article relating to vehicle and traffic laws or the bicycle safe-riding rules and regulations and the official police instructions for the safe operation of a bicycle shall be subject to penalties as set forth in Article 1-5, General Penalty, of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Hightstown.
B. 
Skateboards, scooters, skates and roller blades.
(1) 
Any person under the age of 18 who violates any of the provisions of this article relating to skateboards, scooters, skates or roller blades shall be reprimanded for the first offense, in writing, by the Borough Police Department, addressed to the offender's parent or guardian, stating the nature of the violation and a warning that a repetition of the violation or any other violation shall be prevented or the violator shall be penalized by impounding his skateboard, scooter, skates or roller blades for a period of time not to exceed 30 days; and during that period of time, the offender shall not ride any such vehicle on the streets. On the second complaint, the offender shall be summoned to appear at police headquarters with his skateboard, scooter, skates or roller blades, accompanied by his parent or guardian, and, after a hearing on the violation, may be punished by impounding of the skateboard, scooter, skates or roller blades for a period not to exceed 30 days by the hearing officer with the approval, if possible, of the parent or guardian, but the decision of the hearing officer shall prevail.
(2) 
Any person over the age of 18 who violates any of the provisions of this article relating to skateboards, scooters, skates or roller blades shall be subject to penalties as set forth in Article 1-5, General Penalty, of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Hightstown.
[1991 Code § 63-9; Ord. No. 2001-05]
The hearing officer shall be appointed by the Chief of Police subject to confirmation by the Council. The Chief of Police shall consult with the Police Commissioner with reference to the appointment, and the Council shall only act after recommendation is made on the appointment by the Commissioner. The hearing officer shall perform his duties during hours that shall be fixed, having in mind the convenience of the public.