Law enforcement officers are very familiar with motor vehicle law. But their frame of reference is how it relates to motorized traffic. Title 39 explicitly gives bicycle riders the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles (39:4-14.1). Most, but not all, of Title 39 applies to bicyclists. Since the view from a bicycle is different, and a bicyclist is not surrounded by a sturdy metal structure to protect him/herself, the view of those rights and duties is different from the saddle. There are also inconsistencies in Title 39 that may impact officers’ response to bicyclists’ actions. A course developed specifically for New Jersey law enforcement officers and presented under a grant from New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety addresses these issues. The program increases awareness of Title 39’s impact on the bicycle rider and gives traffic patrol officers the opportunity to experience that perspective. Classroom modules (3.5 hours): The class is co-taught by New Jersey law enforcement personnel and a national League Coach for the League of American Bicyclists. The classroom portion covers the three “E’s”: • Education: Traffic skills education • Engineering: Highway and bikeway designs, controls • Enforcement: Equitable treatment of cyclists through the legal process, including bicycle crash investigation techniques …and briefly touches on additional “E’s” —Encouragement, Equity and Evaluation. On-bike modules (3 hours/ opt ional): • Hazard avoidance techniques that are taught to the public to help avoid crashes • Road ride designed to include as many types of road as is feasible based on course location . While the classroom modules provide insight into the way officers interact with bicyclists, the onbike portion makes the difference. Officers’ understanding of Title 39 as it applies to bicycles changes when they are on bicycles in traffic. The on-bike experience creates a new awareness of what it means to drive a bicycle. 

 

Register after March 1, 2022

Bike Officers and Supervisors

Registration after March 1, 2022

Course is not currently scheduled.