The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes), electric scooters, and skateboards within the City of Garfield to ensure public safety, protect pedestrians, reduce nuisances, and promote responsible operation in public areas including parks, roadways, and sidewalks in accordance with N.J.S.A 39:4-14.16 (Operation of low-speed electric bicycles or scooter) as supplemented and further restricted herein.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Garfield 12-9-2025 by Ord. No. 3110.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This chapter, adopted as Ch. 311, was renumbered to fit the organization of the Code.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling (Class 1), a bicycle where the motor may be used to propel the bicycle without pedaling (Class 2), or a bicycle where the motor assists while pedaling and ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches 28 mph (Class 3), as defined under New Jersey State Law.
Includes a scooter, with a floorboard that can be stood upon by the operator, with handlebars, and with an electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. It should also include a wheeled device that can be stood upon by the operator, with or without handlebars, and with an electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion.
Any individual who uses or controls an electric bicycle, electric scooter, and skateboard.
Any street, sidewalk, pathway, park, trail, recreation area, or other space open and accessible to the general public.
Any board with wheels fixed to the bottom of either end, on which a person can ride in a standing or crouching position and propel themselves by foot.
A.
Permitted use areas: E-bikes, electric scooters, and skateboards may be operated on public roadways and 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. In particular, any person operating a bicycle 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.
Prohibited use areas:
(1)
No electric bicycles, electric scooters, or skateboards of any class shall be operated on sidewalks or in pedestrian-only zones in the City of Garfield.
(2)
The riding of electric bicycles, electric scooters, and skateboards shall be prohibited in public parks in the interest of safety. Designated bicycle paths and public pathways shall be excluded from this prohibition.
Any person found in violation of this chapter shall be subject to the following penalties:
A.
Juvenile operators: Upon failure to comply with or violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or with any other safety regulation promulgated by the Police Department, a juvenile operator shall be issued a verbal warning by the enforcing officer of the nature of the violation and a notation of such may be made in the Department's files. If deemed warranted, the juvenile's parent or legal guardian may also be notified. Upon second and subsequent offenses, the juvenile's parents or guardians shall be notified of the violations, and the notifying officer shall advise the parents or guardians of the importance and need for safe bicycling and riding practices. The juvenile and the parents or legal guardians may be liable for a fine not to exceed $100 and/or a period of community service.
B.
Adult operators: Any person 18 years of age or older found in violation of any provision of this chapter or any safety regulation promulgated by the Police Department shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $500 at the discretion of the judge before whom such person is convicted.
If any provision of this chapter is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.