As the warm weather approaches, the Aberdeen Township and Matawan Borough Police Departments in a combined effort with the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District want to remind parents and students of the mandatory bicycles laws in place to keep our children safe. More and more people are out on bicycles – including teens and young adults. As a result, both departments have been receiving numerous complaints of our children disregarding these laws.
Children riding
bicycles is a positive physical activity. However, it is important to be aware of potential dangers associated with this activity, and have conversations with your children about possible consequences of not wearing helmets. New Jersey state law requires that parents be held responsible for minors who are not wearing a helmet. Those parents face fines between $25 to $100 if their child rides a bicycle without a helmet. The most common complaint/violation that we are receiving is bicyclists riding in the middle of the roadways. State law states that every person riding a bicycle on a roadway shall ride as near to the right of the roadway as possible.
Unfortunately, each year police officers respond to traffic collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians. 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.
In November 2023, there will be a second question on the ballot asking voters to consider additional funding for school safety and security. The additional funding will afford the district the opportunity to have Class III officers in each of our schools. More information about the benefits of increasing school security will be shared with the community in the coming months. This will include in-person meetings with district leadership and our stakeholders to discuss all of the details.
On behalf of the Board of Education and both police departments, we wish everyone an enjoyable, relaxing, but safe, summer months.
Supt. Joseph G. Majka, J.D.
Chief Thomas Falco - Matawan PD
Chief Matthew Lloyd - Aberdeen PD