Yes, Your Bicycle Really Does Need a Bell in New Jersey — A Guide to NJ Bicycle Laws & Safety

A recent local Facebook discussion involving a bicyclist in Galloway Township, Atlantic County caught my attention for an unexpected reason.

The bicyclist was reportedly stopped after riding against the flow of traffic, and during the conversation the subject of required audible equipment for bicycles came up — like a bell, for example, but not a siren or a whistle.

I'll admit it: when I heard that New Jersey law requires a bicycle to have a bell or another audible warning device, I had to look it up myself.

Sure enough, it does.

Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-11, a bicycle operated in New Jersey must be equipped with a bell or other audible device capable of being heard from at least 100 feet away. A siren or whistle, however, is not permitted.

It may sound like one of those obscure laws left over from another era, but the Facebook discussion raised a much more important question:

How many of us actually know New Jersey's bicycle laws?

This isn't about criticizing a police officer, a bicyclist, or anyone involved in a particular traffic stop. It's a good opportunity for all of us — cyclists, parents and drivers — to review the rules designed to help everyone safely share the road.

In New Jersey, Bicyclists Have Rights — and Responsibilities

There is an interesting legal distinction here.

New Jersey's general Title 39 definition of a "vehicle" excludes devices moved solely by human power. However, N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.1 gives a person riding a bicycle on a roadway the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except for provisions that by their nature cannot apply to bicycles.

In everyday terms, that means a person riding a bicycle in the street is expected to act like part of traffic.

That includes obeying:

• Stop signs
• Traffic lights
• Right-of-way rules
• Lane and traffic-direction rules
• Pedestrian right-of-way requirements
• Other applicable traffic laws

NJDOT specifically reminds bicyclists that they must ride in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic and obey traffic signals and stop signs.

Ride WITH Traffic — Never Against It

This is probably the most important takeaway from the local discussion.

Bicyclists should travel in the same direction as traffic, not toward oncoming vehicles.

There is a practical safety reason for this beyond simply complying with traffic rules.

Drivers pulling out of driveways, parking lots and side streets naturally look for traffic approaching from the direction traffic is supposed to come from. A bicycle traveling quickly from the opposite direction can appear somewhere a driver isn't expecting to see it.

The closing speeds illustrate the problem.

Imagine:

Car traveling 30 mph + bicycle approaching it at 15 mph = 45 mph closing speed.

Now compare that with a bicycle traveling with traffic:

Car traveling 30 mph − bicycle traveling 15 mph = 15 mph closing speed from behind.

Those aren't necessarily the speeds at which a collision would ultimately occur, but they demonstrate how dramatically riding with traffic can increase the amount of time both road users have to see, recognize and react to each other.

Wrong-way riding can also create unexpected conflicts at driveways and intersections because motorists may not anticipate a fast-moving bicycle approaching from the opposite direction.

Does a Bicycle Really Need a Bell in New Jersey?

Yes.

Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-11, a bicycle must have:

A bell or another audible signaling device that can be heard from at least 100 feet away.

You cannot substitute a siren or whistle.

So that little bicycle bell many of us associate with childhood isn't merely decorative.

And while the requirement may seem a little old-fashioned, an audible warning can serve a legitimate safety purpose when approaching pedestrians, other bicyclists or someone who may not realize you're nearby.

Your Bike Also Needs Working Brakes

New Jersey doesn't simply require a bicycle to have brakes.

Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-11.1, the brake must be capable of causing the wheels to skid when stopping on dry, level and clean pavement.

Before taking a bike onto the road, it's worth checking:

• Brakes
• Tires and tire pressure
• Wheels
• Chain
• Handlebars
• Lights
• Reflectors
• And yes — the bell

Bicycle Lights Are Required at Night

If you're riding after dark, visibility isn't optional.

N.J.S.A. 39:4-10 requires a white lamp in front and a red lamp in the rear when a bicycle is being used at night. A rear red reflector may also be used as provided by law.

The safest approach is simple:

Don't shop for the dimmest light that technically satisfies the minimum. Make yourself easy to see.

Reflective or bright-colored clothing is also a smart idea, particularly on some of the darker roads we have throughout Atlantic County and South Jersey.

Do Bicyclists Have to Stay All the Way Against the Curb?

Not necessarily.

This is another frequently misunderstood rule.

Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.2, a cyclist generally rides as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable while exercising appropriate care.

That does not mean a bicyclist must hug the curb regardless of conditions.

The law recognizes situations where a bicyclist may need to move farther left, including:

• Making a left turn
• Avoiding debris, drains or other hazards
• Passing a slower-moving vehicle
• Traveling at the same speed as other traffic
• Riding no more than two abreast when doing so does not impede traffic

When traffic would be impeded, cyclists generally should ride single file.

On a road where a lane is too narrow for a motor vehicle and bicycle to safely travel side-by-side, a bicyclist may sometimes need to position themselves farther into the lane so they remain visible and motorists understand that they must wait for a safe opportunity to pass.

That may occasionally frustrate a driver behind the bicycle, but squeezing a car and cyclist into a lane that isn't wide enough for both can be much more dangerous.

Cyclists Must Yield to Pedestrians

Having roadway rights doesn't put a bicycle above pedestrians.

Bicyclists, like motorists, must yield where pedestrians have the right of way.

It's part of the same basic principle:

Everyone using the road has responsibilities to the person who is more vulnerable than they are.

Cyclists should be especially cautious around:

• Crosswalks
• School zones
• Parks
• Shopping areas
• Driveways
• Trails and shared-use paths

Can You Ride Two Bicycles Side-by-Side?

Sometimes.

New Jersey allows bicyclists to travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded.

Otherwise, bicyclists are required to ride single file, except on paths or portions of roadways designated exclusively for bicycle use.

So riding side-by-side isn't automatically illegal — but cyclists still have an obligation not to unnecessarily obstruct traffic.

What About Riding on the Sidewalk?

This one depends partly on where you are.

New Jersey does not have a blanket statewide prohibition against ordinary bicycles being ridden on sidewalks, but municipalities can adopt their own ordinances restricting bicycle use on particular sidewalks.

That means the rules can vary from town to town.

Even when sidewalk riding is permitted, sidewalks are primarily designed for pedestrians and can create dangerous conflicts at driveways and intersections.

Drivers pulling out of a driveway may not expect a bicycle to suddenly cross in front of them at bicycle speed.

So don't assume that because riding on a particular sidewalk is allowed, it's automatically the safest place to ride.

Helmets: Required for Children, Smart for Everyone

For a traditional human-powered bicycle, New Jersey law requires anyone under 17 years old who is operating or riding as a passenger on a bicycle to wear an approved, properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.

The requirement also applies to children riding in bicycle seats or trailers.

For traditional bicycles, adults 17 and older are not generally required by statewide law to wear a helmet.

That doesn't mean it's a bad idea.

Whether you're 16 or 60, pavement doesn't get any softer.

No Hitching Rides From Cars

This sounds obvious, but it has its own section of New Jersey law.

N.J.S.A. 39:4-14 prohibits a person riding a bicycle from attaching themselves to a moving vehicle or streetcar.

In other words, grabbing onto a moving car to get pulled along isn't just dangerous — it's specifically prohibited.

Keep Your Hands and Feet Where They Belong

New Jersey also regulates certain types of unsafe riding on public streets.

State bicycle rules address things such as removing your feet from the pedals, riding without proper control of the handlebars and carrying more passengers than the bicycle is designed to accommodate.

If your bike was designed for one person, don't turn the handlebars into a passenger seat.

The basic idea is simple:

Maintain control of the bicycle at all times.

Drivers Have Responsibilities Too: New Jersey's 4-Foot Safe Passing Law

Bicycle safety isn't solely the cyclist's responsibility.

New Jersey's Safe Passing Law, N.J.S.A. 39:4-92.4, requires drivers approaching and passing bicyclists and other vulnerable road users to use due caution.

When conditions allow, motorists should change into a non-adjacent lane.

If that isn't possible, the motorist must provide at least four feet of separation while passing.

If neither a lane change nor four feet of clearance is possible, the driver must slow to 25 mph or the lower posted speed, be prepared to stop and pass only when doing so will not endanger the bicyclist or anyone else on the road.

So while cyclists have responsibilities, drivers do too.

A bicycle may be traveling much slower than your vehicle, but that doesn't make it safe to squeeze past with only a foot or two of clearance.

Give them room.

A Special Note About E-Bikes

Electric bicycles deserve their own discussion because the laws governing them can differ from those covering traditional human-powered bicycles.

Depending on the type, speed capability and classification of an electric bicycle, additional rules may apply involving:

• Minimum operator age
• Helmet use
• Registration
• Licensing
• Insurance
• Where the e-bike may legally be operated

Anyone who owns or regularly rides an e-bike should check the current New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and NJDOT requirements for their specific type of bicycle rather than assuming the same rules apply to every electric bike.

The Bigger Point: Be Predictable

The bell requirement is probably what will get people's attention.

"Wait — my bike legally needs a bell?"

Apparently, yes.

But the far more important lesson from this discussion isn't really about bells.

It's about predictability.

Cyclists should ride where drivers expect traffic to be, follow traffic signals, make their intentions clear and equip their bicycles so they can be seen and heard.

Drivers should expect bicyclists to be on the roadway, give them adequate space and resist the temptation to squeeze past when there isn't enough room.

Parents should also make sure children understand that a bicycle isn't just a toy once it enters a public roadway. Knowing the basic rules early can establish safe habits that last for years.

And everyone should remember that behind every steering wheel and on every bicycle is a neighbor, friend, parent, child or other member of our community trying to get home safely.

Whether you're riding through Galloway Township, elsewhere in Atlantic County or anywhere in New Jersey, knowing the rules makes the road safer for everyone.

And before your next bike ride, you may want to check the tires, test the brakes, grab your helmet...

and make sure you've got that bell.

New Jersey Bicycle Laws Referenced

This article is based primarily on New Jersey Title 39 and official guidance from the New Jersey Department of Transportation and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, including:

• N.J.S.A. 39:4-10 — Bicycle lights and reflectors
• N.J.S.A. 39:4-10.1 — Bicycle helmet requirements
• N.J.S.A. 39:4-11 — Bell and audible signal requirement
• N.J.S.A. 39:4-11.1 — Bicycle brakes
• N.J.S.A. 39:4-12 — Bicycle operation and passengers
• N.J.S.A. 39:4-14 — Hitching onto vehicles
• N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.1 — Rights and duties of bicycle riders
• N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.2 — Road position and riding abreast
• N.J.S.A. 39:4-92.4 — New Jersey Safe Passing Law

For additional information, visit the New Jersey Department of Transportation's Bicycling Regulations page: https://www.nj.gov/transportation/commuter/bike/regulations.shtm

This article is intended for general community education and safety awareness and is not legal advice.