A motorcycle is any vehicle (including motor bikes, bicycles and tricycles, aka trike) with attached motors. All residents operating a motorcycle in New Jersey must have a motorcycle endorsement on their existing driver license. All motorcycles must be titled, registered and insured.  Nationwide, motorcycle fatalities are on the rise.  About 2,500 motorcycles are involved in crashes each year on New Jersey’s roadways, according to the Federal Highway Authority.  More then half of motorcycle crashes occur at intersections.

Fact: Motorcycle crashes result in 50 or more fatalities and about 2,000 injuries each year in the Garden state. If you’re involved in a motorcycle crash in New Jersey, statistics show that you have a 75 percent chance of being injured. Every rider’s best defense against injury is to obey the law: Wear Your Helmet!

New Jersey Helmet Law – P.L. 39:3-76.7:
No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he/she wears a securely fitted protective helmet of a size proper for that person and of a type approved by the federal DOT. Such a helmet must be equipped with either a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists:

• Drive Defensively – Assume motorists do not see you and plan escape routes.
• Make Yourself Visible – Wear bright colored and reflective clothing.
• Do not linger in “blind spots”.
• Give Yourself Time and Space to React – Do not tailgate.
• Avoid Sudden Braking or Turning When Driving on Wet Roads or Gravel

Safety Tips for Motorists:

• Be Alert for Motorcycles – Heavy traffic could hide a motorcycle.
• Anticipate Hazards for Motorcycles – Be prepared to react to poor road conditions, such as debris or oil slicks, railroad tracks or raised manhole covers.
• Do Not Tailgate Motorcycles – They require less stopping distance than other vehicles.
• Share the Road – Sharing the road will save lives. Motorcyclists and motorists abide by the same traffic laws.