Most of our work at this time is enforcement with education,” said a concerned Police Chief Scott Reinert, as he responded to questions about bike and electric bike problems in the borough.
Reinert said both the borough administrator and the Mayor and Council are equally concerned about safety issues with the number of bicycles, electric bicycles and tricycles, scooters and other two- or three-wheel vehicles both on the roads and the sidewalks, in parks and on public paths increasing.
Motorists have expressed their own concerns about E bikes on the road, and pedestrians object to cyclists on the sidewalks blocking passage. Electrically powered vehicles are not permitted on the sidewalks, the chief said.
The borough earlier this year unanimously passed Ordinance 10-2025 which refers to all means of electric wheeled vehicles that operate both with the assistance of pedaling or without pedaling to speeds up to 20 miles an hour. Such vehicles, operated by any age, must be operated within all motor vehicle regulations when on the road, as well as limited to restrictions of their design and equipment so far as carrying passengers or operators carrying packages All cyclists under the age of 17 must wear helmets in accordance with 39:4-10.1, he said, and while the e-vehicles must be equipped with a bell or device that can be heard 100 feet , they are not permitted to have sirens or whistles.
Drivers must keep their feet on the pedals and both hands on the wheel at all times, the ordinance continues and must keep as far to the right as practical except to make a left turn or pass a parked vehicle.
With safety the primary concern, the Chief said the department’s concentration is more on that than issuing summons, however some have been issued on rare occasion.
“Many do not know the rules ,” the Chief continued, “our department is currently in the process of developing a handout sheet to violators. Lt. Michael Zudonyi has been developing this awareness sheet with Patrolman Davi Cunha. That will be completed soon and will include safety procedures as well as the information regarding the E-Bike borough ordinance that is so important for bikers to know.”
The ordinance calls for $50 fines for a first offense and $100 fine for any second offenses. The code also notes all vehicles must be insured and are not permitted on sidewalks.
The Henry Hudson Trail between this borough and Highlands creates other problems out of this department’s control, the chief pointed out.
“We have had several complaints each week in reference to riders traveling at dangerous speeds on the Henry Hudson Trail,” Reinert said “My department is well aware of these issues, but this area is held and maintained by the Monmouth County Parks System.
“While jurisdictionally it is not our park, because of the concern of all of us, over the last several weeks I have had meetings with the County Parks System system. We are currently working on some awareness campaigns that will be initiated in the coming months. “ Reinert added that under this campaign, both officers and park rangers will be actively out on the trail for educational enforcement.
“This has been an interesting problem to navigate, and we will continue to develop and listen to ideas to improve everyone’s safety on our streets. “
The chief praised both the governing body and the administrator for “being on board while we navigate these issues.”
While New Jersey state law does not prohibit non-motorized or electric bicycles on sidewalks, Reinert said he recommends bicyclists travel in the roadway rather than on sidewalks as well as riding with the flow of traffic.
“Pedestrian safety is also a concern when sharing a sidewalk with a bicycle on our busier streets such as First Avenue. Many towns do have ordinances to ban bicycles on sidewalks throughout the whole town or just specifically in the business district(s) but at this time we do not. Some towns also have age restrictions where children can utilize the sidewalks with bikes while adults cannot. We continue to study all issues in reference to methods of transit, but safety for all remains our primary concern.”
Tired of Facebook? You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
It’s time for a dedicated and protected bike lane in town. Ideally it would connect from the Highlands Bridge to the Henry Hudson Trail. Other towns that have created a space like this for vehicles have noyt only increased safety and have decreased car traffic. Merchants in towns with dedicated bike lanes have also reported that it is good for business with more people on bikes stopping by as customers.