Sponsored by:
Senator RICHARD J. CODEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Regulates sale of certain bicycles with quick release wheels.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act regulating the sale of certain bicycles with quick release wheels and supplementing P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:
Children riding bicycles with quick release wheels have been involved in accidents; and
The danger to children caused by bicycles with quick release wheels is unnecessary in light of the fact that alternatives exist.
It is, therefore, altogether fitting and proper that the State regulate the sale of bicycles with quick release wheels for use by children.
2. a. It shall be an unlawful practice for any person to sell a bicycle with a front wheel diameter of 20 inches or less, which is equipped with a quick release wheel, exclusive of specialty adult bicycles.
b. For the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), "quick release wheel" means any bicycle front wheel which does not require the use of any tools for wheel removal.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the third month after enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill regulates the sale of certain bicycles equipped with quick release wheels. The bill defines "quick release wheel" as any bicycle front wheel which does not require the use of any tools for wheel removal.
Under the bill, it would be an unlawful practice to sell any bicycle equipped with a quick release wheel if it has a front wheel diameter of 20 inches or less and is not a specialty adult bicycle. The purpose of this sales restriction is to prevent the use of these particular types of bicycles by children.
An unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured.