Springfield Cops Teach Students the ABCs of Bicycle Safety

Summertime is bike time and Springfield police are making sure kids are ready for the season.

Earlier this month, the Springfield Police Department’s Special Services Unit hosted Bicycle Safety “Rodeos” for Caldwell and Sandmeier Elementary Schools students.

The police department believes students should be aware of the dangers bicycle riding presents, and what cyclists should do to stay safe. Each year, officers put on a bike rodeo for students at the Township’s elementary schools, offering activities and lessons on safety. For pictures from last year’s event, click . 

For children unable to attend the safety course, Springfield Traffic Officer Jonathan Rachel of the Springfield Police Department’s Special Services Unit offered the following “ABC’s of Bicycle Safety” overview.

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A lways wear a helmet.  It is not only the most important safety issue regarding bicycle riding, it also the law.  New Jersey state law requires that all bicycle riders 17 years old and younger must wear a properly fitting bicycle helmet. A child who violates this law is warned of the violation, and the child’s parent or guardian is subject to a fine of $25 to $100. Each year many bicyclists are killed or injured in New Jersey due to unsafe behavior.  Bicycle crashes can happen anywhere, including parks, bike paths and driveways, and even the most minor accidents can result in serious injuries if certain safety precautions are not followed.  Wearing a properly fitting helmet significantly reduces the risk of head injury, which is the most common cause of death among bicyclists.  

B icycles are vehicles.  In New Jersey, bicycles are considered vehicles and must follow the same laws as motorists.  Bicyclists must ride on the right side of the road with the flow traffic and obey all traffic signals.  Bicyclists should never attempt stunts or tricks, ride with more people on the bike than for what it was designed. Bicyclists must never “hitch” rides by holding onto moving vehicles. They should not weave in and out of traffic or between cars or ride against the flow of traffic. They should also never ride at night without lights.  When crossing the street bicyclists should cross at marked crosswalks, cross only when traffic is clear or when there is a “WALK” signal at an intersection with traffic lights, and riders should get off of their bicycle and walk it across the roadway.  

C heck your bicycle equipment regularly.  Bicycles should be routinely inspected and maintained to ensure that they are in good working order and sized properly for the rider.  The tires, wheels, brakes, chain, reflectors, and seat height should be checked before every use.

For any questions or for more information on bicycle safety, please contact the Springfield Police Department’s Special Services Unit - Lieutenant James Whitney Fine, Sergeant John S. Foster or Traffic Officer John Rachel at (973)376-0400.

Bicyclists attended the Springfield Police Bicycle Rodeo last week where they learned about bicycle safety and were run through several training courses on their bicycles. Pictured from left to right are students: Evie DelDuca, Karolina Laitusis, Juliana DaSilva. Onur Canikligil, and Hunter McIntosh of the James Caldwell School. Pictured in the back row from left to right are Miss Kristy Guerriero - 4th grade teacher, Officer Jon Rachel, Lieutenant James Whitney Fine and Sergeant John Foster of the Special Services Unit of the Springfield Police Department.

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Above: Traffic Officer Jon Rachel of the Special Services Unit demonstrates proper hand signals to the student of the Sandmeier School during Springfield’s Bike Rodeo.