Brigantine is a Bike Friendly Town
Brigantine Beach offers a perfect fit for every type of cyclist. Whether you’re an avid mountain bicyclist, a road bike warrior, or a breezy beach cruiser, there are plenty of paths on the island. Biking is an integral part of the Brigantine Beach Community
Brigantine is a Bike Friendly Town Bicycling. Bicycling is green, it’s stress-free, and fun for the whole family.
Keep right and pass on your left:
This keeps the bike traffic flowing and makes it more comfortable for everyone. Passing on the right (or inside) can startle another ride and cause a crash. Thanks for keeping us all safe in the bike lanes!
Signal your turns and stops:
Give your fellow riders a heads up of any turns or stopping. Simply pointing where you’re heading and letting them know that you’re stopping at the crosswalk to give pedestrians the right of way goes a long way in keeping you and others safe.
Queue up behind other riders at a stoplight:
If you bike to work downtown, you might find yourself in a full pack of riders. That’s terrific, because you have commuting buddies! You’ll make everyone’s commute mellower if you just wait behind those in front of you and don’t race around other riders.
Set the example:
If you’re the first person at a stoplight or sign, stop behind the crosswalk. Those behind you will likely follow your lead, creating safer streets for everyone – especially people crossing the street. When the light turns green, make sure it’s clear before proceeding, giving enough time for people in wheelchairs or with disabilities to safely cross.
Thanks for being a great ambassador for bicycling!
Bike Safety
Highlights of Rules and Regulations. Cyclists must:
- Ride in the direction of traffic, not against it.
- Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Stop at stop signs and red lights.
- Use marked bike lanes if riding under the speed limit
- Yield to pedestrians and ride no faster than pedestrian walking speed while riding on sidewalks.
- Use safety and visibility equipment: front white light, red rear reflector, and bell.
- Wear a helmet if under 17 years old.
Rules and Regulations for Cyclists
A. Obedience to traffic control devices.
- Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
- Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that a turning movement is restricted no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any such sign, except where that person dismounts from the bicycle to make the turn, in which event such person shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.
- No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in any direction except that permitted of vehicular traffic traveling on the same side of the roadway.
- Any person operating a bicycle shall stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
B. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths generally.
- Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, unless an exclusive bicycle lane is provided.
- Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
- Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that such person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:
(a) Whenever overtaking or passing another bicycle, vehicle or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if such overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.
(b) When preparing for a turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(c) When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.
C. Manner of riding bicycle.
- A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
- No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
D. Speed restrictions.
- No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the condition then existing.
E. Yielding right-of-way from bicycle path or sidewalks.
- Every person riding a bicycle on a bike path or sidewalk that is about to enter or cross a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic on such roadway.
F. Leaving bicycle lanes.
- No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal.
G. Motor vehicles in bicycle lanes.
- Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway any person operating a motor vehicle on such a roadway shall not drive or park in the bicycle lane except for the purposes of performing a parking maneuver where parking is permitted, to enter or leave the roadway, or to maneuver around a parked vehicle impeding traffic flow.
H. Bicycles emerging from alleys or driveways; yielding right-of-way.
- The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway, or building, shall, upon approaching a sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area. Upon entering the roadway the operator shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway.
I. Clinging to vehicles prohibited.
- No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself to any streetcar or vehicle upon a roadway.
J. Riding on sidewalks.
- No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk at a speed greater than the walking speed of pedestrians.
- Persons riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.
- Persons riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall keep as close to the curb as is practicable to allow pedestrians to walk along sidewalks without impedance.
K. Carrying articles.
- No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
L. Parking.
- No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle, or against a building or at the curb in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
M. Lamps and equipment on bicycles.
- Bicycles in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type which shall be visible from 50 feet to 300 feet to the rear. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
- A bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use, any siren or whistle upon a bicycle.
- Bicycles shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
- Bicycles may be equipped with a bell to serve as audible signal for the purposes of overtaking and passing any pedestrian or other bicycles.
Other Users of Bike Lanes
In addition to bicycle riders, individuals using roller blades, motorized wheelchairs with an orange safety flag at least five (5) feet above street level, and bicyclers with attached trailers for children will also have the same orange safety flag attached to the rear of the portage vehicle, shall also be permitted to use the bike lanes.
Safety Tips for On-Street Bicycling
- Ride predictably, act like a good driver. Drivers are used to the patterns of other drivers. Ride in a straight line, obey traffic signs and signals, and do not weave in and out of traffic. Riding predictably reduces your chances of a crash with a motor vehicle.
- Look, signal and look again before changing lanes or making a turn. Establish eye contact with drivers. Seeing a driver is often not enough. Make sure drivers see you before executing a turn or riding in front of a turning car.
- Watch out for opening car doors. Be prepared for the possibility that a car door may be opened in your path. When possible, leave room between yourself and parked cars (3 feet is generally recommended) so that you can avoid a door that opens unexpectedly.
- Stay visible. Wear brightly colored clothing for daytime riding. At night, use reflective materials and lights.
- Use Your bell. Your bell alerts drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists to your presence, it is required by law.
- Wear a helmet. They are required by law for cyclists under 17 years of age and are a good idea for cyclists of all ages.
