In New Jersey, anyone under 17 years of age that rides a bicycle or is
a passenger on a bicycle, or is towed as a passenger by a bicycle
must wear a safety helmet.
On August 1, 1998 this helmet law was extended to include roller and
inline skates and skateboards. Roller skates means a pair of devices worn
on the feet with a set of wheels attached, regardless of the number or
placement of those wheels and used to glide or propel the user over the
ground.
The definition of bicycle with reference to the helmet legislation is a
vehicle with two wheels propelled solely by human power and having pedals,
handle bars and a saddle-like seat. The term shall include a bicycle for
two or more persons having seats and corresponding pedals arranged in
tandem.
All helmets must be properly fastened and fitted. Bicycle helmets must
meet the federal standards developed by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) effective March 10, 1999 that ensure the best head
protection and strong chin straps to keep the helmet in place during a
fall or collision. Also acceptable are helmets meeting the Snell Memorial
Foundation's 1990 Standard for Protection Headgear.
Exemptions from the helmet requirement are persons who operate or ride
a bicycle (as a driver or a passenger) on a roadway closed to motor
traffic; on a trail, route, course, boardwalk, path or area set aside only
for the use of bicycles. These exemptions do not apply if the areas of
operation are adjacent to a roadway and not separated from motor vehicle
traffic by a barrier that prevents the bicycle from entering the roadway.
Bicyclists or passengers operating in an area where helmets are not
required who need to cross a road or highway should walk with the
bicycle.
Initial violators of the helmet law will receive warnings. For minors,
the parent or legal guardian may be fined a maximum of $25 for the 1 st
offense and a maximum of $100 for subsequent offense(s), if lack of
parental supervision contributed to the offense.
Bicycle salespersons and rental agents must display a sign at least 15
inches long and 8 inches wide at the point where the transaction is
completed when they sell or rent a bicycle. This sign should read:
"STATE LAW REQUIRES A BICYCLE RIDER UNDER 17 YEARS TO
WEAR A HELMET." In the case of bicycle rentals, the
salesperson/rental agent must provide a helmet, if necessary, for a fee.