The City of Hoboken is encouraging safe cycling as National Bicycle Safety Month begins, touring ongoing Vision Zero improvements.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We are proud of the work our Public Safety and Vision Zero teams have already done to make our streets and sidewalks safer,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement.
“We encourage all, whether on bicycle, foot, or driving a motor vehicle, to do their part to make the entire system even safer and to educate themselves about the best practices for staying and keeping others safe.”
Hoboken is recognized as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Cyclists, giving the mile square city the distinction of being recognized as both bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly.
“In anticipation of more cyclists on the streets as we head into the warmer months, we want to educate and remind the community about the rules of the road, and make sure everyone is riding as safely as possible,” added Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante.
“It’s up to not just bicyclists, but also drivers and even pedestrians to help ensure safety for everyone.”
During National Bicycle Safety Month, the Hoboken Police Department will, as it did last year, focus heavily on the education and enforcement of electric-bike and electric-scooter safety.
The HPD has teamed up with the Hoboken Business Alliance and local businesses, to better inform those who use e-bicycles and other motorized vehicles for delivery services. This includes reminding all riders of the following:
• It is illegal to ride any type of electric or motorized bicycle or scooter on Hoboken’s sidewalks and on parts of the waterfront walkway.
• If an e-bike enters a sidewalk, the rider must dismount and walk the vehicle.
• E-bikes can be parked on the sidewalk if it does not block pedestrians or other traffic.
• When in the street, riders must follow all traffic laws including riding in the correct direction of traffic and the speed limit.
• Even before this campaign, Hoboken police officers have been enforcing these laws, and issued over 100 summonses and countless warnings in recent weeks. Violators face fines of up to $100.
The City of Hoboken and the Hoboken Public Safety Department are also working closely with Bike Hoboken, a community-based organization working toward making the city more bike-friendly and safer for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
The Hoboken Police Department will once again join Bike Hoboken on community bike rides, starting later this month. Officers will offer bike safety education and a safety escort on the monthly rides.
“Bike Hoboken strives to make our streets safe enough for everyone, no matter age or ability to feel comfortable riding their bicycle,” stated Bike Hoboken President Chris Adair.
“We know protected bike lanes are the safety infrastructure bicyclists need, which is why we continually advocate for them. In the interim, we hope that car drivers will be extra vigilant and go a little slower to accommodate people on bicycles and on foot.”
All bicycle riders are reminded to follow best practices, including:
• Wear a properly fitted helmet. They are recommended for all but required for riders under 17.
• Ride in Numbers: studies show drivers are more aware when more bikes are on the road.
• Be visible: wear bright and reflective materials and use visibility equipment including lights, reflectors and a bell.
• Take extra care at intersections and avoid the “door zone.”
• Check your bike equipment before heading out.
• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, ride in the direction of traffic, obey all traffic signs, and fully stop at stop signs and red lights.
• Bikes are allowed on sidewalks in Hoboken, but riders must yield to pedestrians and ride no faster than walking speed.
Drivers are also reminded to share the road for safety and to:
• Stay alert and slow down.
• Pass bicyclists with care and allow at least three feet of space when passing.
• Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space.
• Respect designated bicycle lanes; don’t use them for parking, passing or turning.
It is clear that the Bhalla administration does no and l not enforce even the existing laws when it comes to bicyclist behaving badly.
As usual they have one of their staff write a press release to make it seem like they are actually addressing the very real problem.
Car drivers must give cyclist 4 feet of clearance when passing, not 3 feet. It’s NJ state law.
It is also illegal for car drivers to harass cyclists by aggressively honking horns, verbal and physical threats, tailgating and other intimidation tactics.
Cyclist must also follow all the traffic rules.
Stop signs, traffic lights one way streets etc but most DON’T.
I’m a true proponent of traversing the city with bikes, scooters or any other type of two wheeled vehicle. However, as a part of my job, I travel the streets of Hoboken, forty hours a week. This experience exposes you to the behaviors of the operators of these vehicles and, believe me, without any exaggeration, they are more dangerous and reckless and any automobile! Strong enforcement initiatives by the HPD and possibly extending authority to the HPU, would increase the safety and practices of the two wheelers. Additionally, the Hoboken Business Alliance is a very proactive group in the city. By partnering with them, one of the largest problems can be solved. Food delivery individuals that utilize this mode of transportation are the most aggressive and dangerous operators out there. Traffic lights do not exist to them, travel against traffic, don’t follow any of the laws that they are required to obey. The most agregious thing is that at night, they operate these vehicles with NO Lights, NO REFLECTORS, BLACK OR VERY DARK CLOTHING AND, travel at speeds of up to 30mph. If the HBA, will run a strict campaign in the business community that recommends that they require all their delivery drivers to wear proper clothing, obey laws and, always keep the safety of the public first, under penalties including discharge, I believe that the majority of the problems would be solved. I understand that the faster they deliver, the more money they make but, at what cost? Truck drivers operate this way too and, they can’t run lights, go up or down any street they wish and ignore the law. Whether or not the delivery riders are employees of the business they are delivering for, at the time they are delivering their goods, the business bears some responsibility for their behaviors from start to finish of that service. I believe that the use of these vehicles grows, the more the safety of the general public becomes a concern and priority.