|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting NJ law
Just came across these 2 laws for riding a bike in NJ:
39:4-11 Audible Signal. A bicycle must be equipped with a bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away, but not a siren or whistle. 39:4-11.1 Brakes. A bicycle must be equipped with a brake that can make wheels skid while stopping on dry, level, clean pavement. Any nJ riders have a bell? Guess antilock bike brakes are not happening. I’ve broken many bike laws apparently! Add to that no brake lights at night and sometimes a lack of a helmet, no bell and iffy brakes…. |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
That is interesting. I've never heard that before either, but a quick search confirms:
https://www.nj.gov/transportation/co...gulations.shtm I always assumed that bikes needed to have reflectors, which is why every new bike is sold with reflectors front/rear and usually on the pedals. I would have thought if this was a law in NJ all new bikes would similarly be sold with a bell, but I dont think they are? Been a long time since I bought a new bike in NJ, though now that I think about it I did buy my son a new kids bike a REI a number of years ago and if I remember right it did come with a bell. Please also note: No "fancy" riding in the street, please
__________________
http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/ |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I have heard of a police officer giving a ticket for no bell rather than one for going through a stop sign.
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
If I recall correctly, around 2010, the NJ officers would occasionally ticket cyclists coming across the GW. They get you for no bell, no reflector. I was never aught up in this, but I had a friend get tickets. He thought it was a joke at first.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I’m good! Got a Spurcycle Frankenbell on every one of my eight bikes except for the Raleigh 20 folder. But no reflectors. Does a rear light count instead?
__________________
Bingham/B.Jackson/Unicoi/Habanero/Raleigh20/429C/BigDummy/S6 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
New York has similar laws: https://dmv.ny.gov/new-york-state-dr...aring-the-road. Here in central NY, I’ve never heard of anyone ticketed for not having a bell. One local village is known for “bicycle law enforcement.” It’s a very wealthy place with lots of NIMBY citizens who feel bicycles are an annoyance. They are noted for ticketing riders who don’t make complete stops at red lights and stop signs. On group rides, we always warn new riders to unclip and make full stops there.
Greg |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
More gruel for the disc vs rim brake argument.
__________________
It's not a new bike, it's another bike. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
The laws have been on the books a long time but I can’t remember ever hearing of a cop issuing a summons for no audible device.
There is a similar law for having a light on your bike and that is more commonly enforced. Particularly in urban areas where stick-up kids used to ride around, masked up, on bicycles at night. Nowadays those kids are more likely to use an electric scooter or e-bike. For context, I’ve worked law enforcement in NJ for 26 years.
__________________
Pegoretti Responsorium Gaulzetti Corsa Don McClung 51 |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Massachusetts has laws covering similar aspects of bicycle operation, but they are more sensible than the New Jersey Laws. Here's the Massachusetts laws regarding audible signals and brakes:
Section 11B: Quote:
And the braking regulation specifies an actual safe stopping distance, rather than simply skidding wheels (which is often unsafe). |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I did a lot of bike commuting while in the Navy. Most bases required a bell. I had a fancy bell with a compass. In the PNW, I could just tap the brake levers and my Avid Shorty brakes would be louder than a bell. Some states require reflectors and others require a headlight and taillight after dusk. In VA, I was flagged over by the police because my taillight was "too bright and distracting." It was a Trek branded disco something light and I pointed out that I was only following the law. I loved that light. After I broke it, I used two Super flash lights.
|
|
|