BIKE SAFETY
Town of Westfield
With the summer months upon us, the Bicycle Advisory Board reminds residents to keep the streets of Westfield safe for bicycles and cars. If you ride a bike, wear a helmet and ensure that your bike is in good working order. For those with children on bikes, it’s important that they know the rules of the road as well. Did you know that in Downtown Westfield business zone sidewalks are off limits to bikes due to a local ordinance?
The Bicycle Advisory Board also would like to make drivers aware of the new Safe Passing Law. Drivers in New Jersey are now required to approach and pass vulnerable road users, including cyclists, pedestrians, scooters, and people in wheelchairs, or other road users not protected inside vehicles, with “due caution,” meaning both slowing down and giving the other user plenty of space when passing.
- Drivers must follow all current no-passing, no speeding laws and move over a lane when one is available.
- On a single lane road, drivers must allow a four-feet safety zone when they pass bikes, people on foot, scooters or wheelchairs.
- If four feet is not possible on a section of road, drivers must slow to 25mph and be prepared to stop until they can pass safely without endangering those sharing the road.
You can find additional details on the Safe Passing Law online: njbwc.org/safepass4nj/
The Westfield Bicycle Board is working to create a more bike friendly town by evaluating potential bicycle routes, creating bike oases, and encouraging bicycle safety. For more information, visit westfieldnj.gov/bicycleadvisoryboard.
