Hello neighbors,
By now I hope you have heard about our Safe Summer 2023 Campaign, which includes our new Better Biking legislation and public education campaign.
Chief Jason Cutler and I conceived of this legislation in response to public safety concerns expressed by residents, as well as complaints from business owners, employees & visitors, all of which highlighted the negative impact that reckless biking has had on our Downtown.
One of my top priorities is to make our downtown accessible and enjoyable for all – including teens & tweens. I also believe we should be encouraging biking as a healthy & green mode of transportation. By posting signage and hosting events like Pops with Cops to educate people about existing traffic laws and our new ordinance, it is our hope that we can all enjoy shopping, dining, and relaxing in our Borough this summer and beyond. In sum, our goals include promoting safe behaviors, preventing injuries, and enabling the local economy to thrive!
Some of the basics of our Better Biking ordinance include:
- Dismount and walk your bike on Downtown sidewalks.
- No trick riding or weaving.
- Don’t dump bikes on sidewalks – dismount and properly secure bikes using kick stands and/or bike racks.
- Avoid riding on sidewalks where pedestrians and outdoor diners are congregating.
- No bike riding in King’s Court or Lantern Lane (aka: Haddy Lane).
- If bikers don’t obey the rules, our officers may confiscate bikes and impound them for up to 30 days.
- A storage fee of $25 per day will apply if we must store the bike until a parent or guardian can retrieve it.
- After 30 days, impounded bikes will be sold at auction.
Keep in mind, our ordinance defines the term “bicycle” broadly, including other wheeled devises like scooters and skateboards (but it does NOT include wheelchairs or mobility devices for those with disabilities).
If you plan on riding your bike in our beautiful Borough, be sure to follow these safety tips:
• Ride a bike that fits you—if it’s too big, it’s harder to control the bike.
• Ride a bike that works—it really doesn’t matter how well you ride if the brakes don’t work.
• Wear equipment to protect you and make you more visible to others, like a bike helmet, bright clothing (during the day), reflective gear, and a white front light and red rear light and reflectors on your bike (at night, or when visibility is poor).
• Ride one per seat, with both hands on the handlebars, unless signaling a turn.
• Carry all items in a backpack or strapped to the back of the bike.
• Tuck and tie your shoe laces and pant legs so they don’t get caught in your bike chain.
• Plan your route—if driving as a vehicle on the road, choose routes with less traffic and slower speeds. Your safest route may be away from traffic altogether, in a bike lane or on a bike path.
Bicycling in New Jersey is regulated under Title 39, and Section 39:4-10.1 mandates helmets for those under age 17. In addition to reviewing Title 39 and our new ordinance in full, I encourage you to visit the link below for helpful bike safety tips:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety
Wishing you and yours an enjoyable August!
With gratitude,
Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich
