Bill Text: NJ A4769 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Imposes fines on certain violations involving operation of bicycles.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-12-06 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A4769 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A4769-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Imposes fines on certain violations involving operation of bicycles.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the operation of a bicycle and amending R.S.39:4-10 and P.L.1951, c.23.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.39:4-10 is amended to read as follows:
R.S.39:4-10. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front, and with a lamp on the rear which shall emit a red light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the rear. In addition to the red lamp, a red reflector may be mounted on the rear, of a type approved by the [division] commission, which shall be visible from all distances from fifty feet to three hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, except section 1 of P.L.1984, c.90 (C.39:4-203.3.), a person who violates any provision of this section may be fined up to $25 for the first offense and up to $100 for each subsequent offense.
(cf: P.L.1951, c.23, s.11)
2. Section 17 of P.L.1951, c.23 (C.39:4-14.2) is amended to read as follows:
17. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or [one] a vehicle proceeding in the same direction; provided, however, that any person may move to the left under any of the following situations:
[(a)] a. to make a left turn from a left-turn lane or pocket;
[(b)] b. to avoid debris, drains, or other hazardous conditions that make it impracticable to ride at the right side of the roadway;
[(c)] c. to pass a slower moving vehicle;
[(d)] d. to occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; or
[(e)] e. to travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded.
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded, but otherwise shall ride in single file except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, except section 1 of P.L.1984, c.90 (C.39:4-203.3.), a person who violates any provision of this section may be fined up to $25 for the first offense and up to $100 for each subsequent offense.
(cf: P.L.1983, c.257, s.1)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill creates new penalties for the operation of a bicycle at nighttime without being properly equipped with front and rear lights, the operation of a bicycle while failing to keep to the right side of the roadway, except under certain circumstances, and the operation of a bicycle while failing to ride in single file, except under certain circumstances.
Under the bill, a fine for violation of these provisions of law is up to $25 for the first offense and up to $100 for each subsequent offense, except if the violation is committed by a juvenile under the age of 17. Under current law, certain bicycle violations committed by a juvenile under the age of 17 may be subject to a warning or a fine not to exceed $10.
