Get Out and Ride Safely

Young people under the age of 17 are required to wear an approved helmet when cycling, roller skating, in-line skating, or skateboarding. Certainly best practice warrants helmets for ALL cyclists regardless of age.

The Division of Highway Traffic Safety assists county, municipal and law enforcement agencies with education, public awareness and enforcement of the bicycle helmet law and other bicycle safety issues.

Each year, bicyclists are killed or injured in New Jersey due to bicycle crashes. Many bicycle deaths result from bicycle-motor vehicle collisions. However,

injuries can happen anywhere, including parks, bike paths and driveways, and often do not involve motor vehicles.

Head injury is the most serious injury type and the most common cause of death among bicyclists. The most severe injuries are those to the brain that cause permanent damage.

SAFETY TIPS FOR BICYCLE RIDERS:

• Obey all traffic laws. In New Jersey, bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles:
• ride on the right
• obey all signals
• travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded
• ride with traffic
• Wear an approved bicycle helmet.

MAKE SURE YOUR BICYCLE FITS YOU. INSPECT THE FOLLOWING BEFORE EACH RIDE TO MAKE SURE YOUR BICYCLE IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER:

• tires/wheels
• brakes
• chain
• lights
• reflectors
• bell
• spare inner tube and tire levers/irons
• seat height

Wear comfortable reflective clothing conducive to weather conditions

• Ride within your abilities
• avoid busy streets
• ride a properly sized bicycle

DO NOT:

• attempt stunts or tricks
• ride with more people on the bike than it is designed to accommodate
• “hitch” rides by holding on to moving vehicles
• weave in and out of traffic, or between cars
• carry loads unless equipped with proper baskets or panniers
• ride against traffic
• ride at night with out lights