Aberdeen, Matawan Kids Are Violating Bicycle Laws, Police Say

ABERDEEN, NJ - The Aberdeen and Matawan police departments are warning families to go over bicycle safety at home after both departments reported “numerous” recent complaints of local children disregarding bicycle safety laws, which could result in fines for parents.

“More and more people are out on bicycles – including teens and young adults,” the Aberdeen and Matawan police departments said in a joint statement Thursday, alongside Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District Superintendent Joseph G. Majka. “As a result, both departments have been receiving numerous complaints of our children disregarding these laws."

While state law requires bicyclists on roadways to ride as near to the right of the roadway as possible, the most common complaint/violation police receive are of bicyclists riding in the middle of the roadways, the statement reads.

Per state law, parents may also face fines between $26 to $100 for minors who are not wearing a helmet.

You can read state regulations here.

“Unfortunately, each year police officers respond to traffic collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians,” the officials said. “Many times the primary collision factor was the unsafe operation of a bicycle and the bicyclist neglecting to pay attention to the traffic around them. The goal is to eliminate injuries and fatalities on our roadways; however, this is not possible without your help.”