So, there was some chatter on the cooler about crossing Grove Street on a bike - in a crosswalk. Wanted to share my response here, too. Heres a link to the answers: njbikeped.org/whats-the-law-anyway-a-quick-guide-to-new-jersey-bicycle-and-pedestrian-laws-2012/ If a person is walking her bike in a crosswalk, she is a pedestrian and drivers of cars must stop. If she is in the seat of the bike, it means shes trying to cross in the safest place she can. Sometimes driving your bike in traffic as a vehicle can be a very scary thing. She is still a person crossing in the crosswalk and drivers of cars should still stop. Until we have a dedicated network of paths, lanes, and signals that are meant for the exclusive movement of bicycles (like in the Netherlands), there will always be gray areas of the law like this. Thats where courtesy and respect come in. Cars yield to bikes/peds. Bikes yield to peds. Thats the hierarchy based on vulnerability. Again, until we as a culture, begin to prioritize PEOPLE movement, regardless of mode, it is our responsibility every time we drive, to protect the roadways most vulnerable users. Want to make a difference? Volunteer with Bike&Walk Montclair, the Montclair Pedestrian Safety Task Force, or the Montclair Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee. Laura Torchio Bike&Walk Montclair Trustee Eat. Play. Live... Better Program Coordinator
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 11:26:05 +0000