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Introduction: The State of Bicycling & Walking in New Jersey
Where Are We Now? Laws, Regulations, and Agencies
Case Studies of Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects
Introduction: The State of Bicycling & Walking in New Jersey
Bicycling in New Jersey is increasing in popularity in recent years. Bicycle commuting in New Jersey nearly doubled during the 1990s, according to "journey to work" data from the 2000 Census. The survey indicates that in New Jersey, bicycling was far and away the fastest growing commute mode during the decade. Nationally, bicycling increased its share more than any other mode except "other" - its share of all U.S. responses to the survey increased nearly 9%.
However, the Census data shows that, unfortunately, walking is on the decline. Nationally, walking declined more than any mode except motorcycling, whose overall numbers barely register. Plummeting rates of U.S. foot commuting are reflected around the region: In New Jersey, walking's share dropped over 35%.
Shares of Journey to Work
| 1990 bike | 2000 bike | 1990-2000 % change | 1990 walk | 2000 walk | 1990-2000 % change | |
| NJ | 24% | 47% | 97% | 4.11% | 2.67% | -35% |
| U.S. | 41% | 44% | 8.98% | 3.9% | 2.68% | -31.3% |
While it's difficult to speculate about the genesis of state-wide data like the journey-to-work responses, a variety of factors may be at work. Walking's overall decline likely reflects the continuation of sprawl development that is moving jobs from main streets to office parks, and residential and commercial street designs that are hostile or dangerous to pedestrians. Increasing trip distances may also have caused transit and cycling to capture some walking trips, although sprawl-related street design is often unfriendly to cycling as well.
Where Are We Now? Laws, Regulations, and Agencies
An overview of the laws, regulations, and state agencies that are involved in making New Jersey walkable and bikeable.
New Jersey State Statute Review
policy.rutgers.edu/tpi/pedbike/techresearch/evaluationstatutes.pdf
(Adobe Acrobat software, which comes standard with almost all computers, is necessary to view this file. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat, it can be downloaded for free at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/)
This analysis, undertaken by the Voorhees Transportation Policy Institute (http://policy.rutgers.edu/tpi/), and written by Charles Carmalt, PP/AICP, was undertaken to determine how existing statutes treat bicycling and walking in New Jersey, and to recommend either modifications of existing statutes or propose new statutes that together would help to create a better environment for walking and bicycling.
The report compares existing state statutes with national standards, and describes measures in which the state statutes could be improved to increase bicycle or pedestrian safety, or to encourage greater bicycling and pedestrian activity. The report then recommends a series of specific statutory changes that the Department and the Legislature could consider to improve the highways of New Jersey for persons who bicycle or walk.
The New Jersey Bicycle Law
Article 3 of Chapter 4 in Title 39 of the Revised Statutes as Amended and Supplemented:
39:4-14.5 Definition. "Bicycle" means any two wheeled vehicle having a rear drive which is solely human powered and having a seat height of 25 inches or greater when the seat is in the lowest adjustable position.
39:4-10 Lights on Bicycles. Use of the following equipment for riding in darkness: 1. A front white headlamp that is seen at least 500 feet away; 2. A rear lamp with a red light seen 500 feet away; 3. A red reflector may be mounted on the rear.
39:4-11 Audible Signal Device Required. A bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away is required. DO NOT use a siren or whistle.
39:4-11.1 Brakes. Use a brake that can make wheels skid while stopping on dry, level, clean pavement.
39:4-12 Carrying Another Person. Limit passengers to only the number the bicycle is designed and equipped to carry. DO NOT drive the bicycle with feet removed from the pedals, or with both hands removed from the handlebars, nor practice any trick or fancy driving in a street.
39:4-14. Hitching on Vehicle Prohibited. No person riding a bicycle, skateboarding, roller on inline skating shall attach to any street car or vehicle.
39:4-14.1 Rights and Duties of Person on Bicycles. Every person riding a bicycle, skateboarding, roller or inline skating on a roadway is granted all the rights and subject to all of the duties of the motor vehicle driver.
39:4-14.2, 39:4-10.11 Operating Regulations. Every person riding a bicycle, skateboarding, roller or inline skating should keep as near to the right of the roadway as practicable and may move left under any of the following situations: 1. To make a left turn from a left turn lane or pocket; 2. To avoid debris, drains or other hazardous conditions on the right; 3. To pass a slower moving vehicle; 4. To occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; 5. To travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded, but otherwise ride in single file. Every person riding a bicycle, skateboarding, roller or inline skating should stay in the same direction as vehicular traffic.
In New Jersey, the law states a bicyclist, skateboarder or skater must obey all state and local automobile driving laws. A parent may be held responsible for the child's violation of any traffic law.
New Jersey's Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Law
In New Jersey, anyone under 14 years of age that rides a bicycle or is a passenger on a bicycle, or is towed as a passenger by a bicycle must wear a safety helmet.
On August 1, 1998 this helmet law was extended to include roller and inline skates and skateboards. Roller skates means a pair of devices worn on the feet with a set of wheels attached, regardless of the number or placement of those wheels and used to glide or propel the user over the ground.
The definition of bicycle with reference to the helmet legislation (Title 39:4-10.1) is a vehicle with two wheels propelled solely by human power and having pedals, handlebars and a saddle-like seat. The term shall include a bicycle for two or more persons having seats and corresponding pedals arranged in tandem.
All helmets must be properly fastened and fitted. Bicycle helmets must meet the new federal standards developed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) effective March 10, 1999 that ensure the best head protection and strong chin straps to keep the helmet in place during a fall or collision. Also acceptable is the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1990 Standard for Protective Headgear.
Exemptions from the helmet requirement are persons who operate or ride a bicycle (as a driver or a passenger) on a roadway closed to motor vehicle traffic; on a trail, route, course, boardwalk, path or area set aside only for the use of bicycles; or in an area where bicycle helmets are not required. These exemptions apply only if the areas of operation are protected from motor vehicle traffic by barriers or geographic elements. Bicyclists or passengers who need to cross a road or highway should walk with the bicycle. Initial violators of the helmet law will receive warnings. For minors, the parent or legal guardian may be fined a maximum of $25 for the 1st offense and a maximum of $100 for subsequent offense(s), if lack of parental supervision contributed to the offense.
Bicycle salespersons and rental agents must display a sign of at least 15 inches long and 8 inches wide at the point where the transaction is completed when they sell or rent a bicycle. This sign should read: "STATE LAW REQUIRES A BICYCLE RIDER UNDER 14 YEARS TO WEAR A HELMET." In the case of bicycle rentals, the salesperson/rental agent must provide a helmet, if necessary, for a fee.
Warning notices by skateboard, roller and inline skate manufacturers and salespersons must be clearly displayed on one roller skate of each pair; on the outside of the container when offered for sale; or on any accompanying user's guide or instruction manual. Reduce the risk of serious injury and only use while wearing full protective gear, helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads and kneepads. At the point of sale, the salesperson must post a 15 inch by 8 inch sign: "STATE LAW REQUIRED A PERSON UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE TO WEAR A HELMET WHEN ROLLER SKATING OR SKATEBOARDING."
If the salesperson/rental agent complies with the requirements of the helmet law, any liability in a civil suit that results from an injury by a bicycle rider/passenger is removed. (39:4-10.3, 39:4-10.9(d))
New Jersey Department of Transportation
www.state.nj.us/transportation/
It is the mission of the New Jersey Department of Transportation to provide reliable, environmentally and socially responsible transportation and motor vehicle networks and services to support and improve the safety and mobility of people and goods in New Jersey. DOT's website offers some technical information for bicycle and pedestrian projects, and funding opportunities for local projects.
Case Studies of Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects
Database of Bicycle & Pedestrian Plans and Projects Throughout N.J.
policy.rutgers.edu/tpi/pedbike/infoclearing/infocollection/njbpprojects/surveydatabase.html
This database, compiled by the Voorhees Transportation Policy Institute, shows the results of a statewide survey of all of New Jersey's 566 municipalities. It includes information on type of projects, funding sources, contacts, and more.
Improving Conditions for Bicycling and Walking
safety.fhwa.dot.gov/fourthlevel/pdf/intro.pdf
A best practices report that provides information on pedestrian and bicycle projects that have been recognized for increasing walking and bicycling and improving user safety in communities across the U.S.