Bicycle Registration
The Cranford Police Department now offers Cranford residents bicycle licenses to protect their bicycles in case they are stolen. Township Ordinance 158.2 requires that all bicycles be registered and display a license.
The bicycle license registration are available at the Records Bureau within police headquarters for a cost of $4.00 each. The licenses have no expiration date. You will be required to complete a registration form which requires your name, address, phone number, bicycle brand, bicycle model, bicycle type (10 speed, bmx, e.g.), color and serial number. You may complete the form in advance by clicking here or pick up one at the Records Bureau in person.
In addition to registering your bicycle, it's smart to keep track of your own bicycle information to assist in theft recovery. Write down your serial number. The serial number is usually located on the bottom of the frame, underneath the bottom bracket. This is where the pedals / crank go through the bike frame. The serial number is the most important information to have, as it is unique to your bicycle. Unique parts or stickers may be helpful, but the serial number is by far the most important.
Each year, 1,500,000 bicycles are stolen nationwide and about half of them are recovered, but less than 2% are ever returned because there’s no way to link a bike to its owner. When your bicycle is labeled and registered in the Cranford Police Department database, it can be easily identified by police and returned to its rightful owner. Any other questions regarding bicycle licenses can be directed to Detective Corey LoForte at (908) 709-7334.
USE YOUR HEAD…WEAR A HELMET!
New Jersey’s Bicycle Helmet Law
Young people under the age of 17 are now required to wear an approved helmet when bicycling, roller skating, in-line skating or skateboarding.
From the National Safety Council
Bike Safety Tips
Obey traffic rules. Get acquainted with ordinances. Cyclists must follow the same rules as motorists.
Know your bike’s capabilities. Remember that bicycles differ from motor vehicles; they’re smaller and can’t move as fast. But, they can change direction more easily, stop faster and move through smaller spaces.
Ride in single file with traffic, not against it. Bicycling two abreast can be dangerous. Bicyclists should stay as far right on the pavement as possible, watching for opening car doors, sewer gratings, soft shoulders, broken glass and other debris. Remember to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Make safe turns and cross intersections with care. Signal turns half a block before the intersection, using the correct hand signals (left arm straight out for left turn; forearm up for right turn). When traffic is heavy and the cyclist has to turn left, it is best to dismount and walk the bicycle across both streets at the crosswalks.
Never hitch on cars. A sudden stop or turn could send the cyclist flying into the path of another vehicle.
Before riding into traffic: stop, look left, right, left again, and over your shoulder.
Always be seen. During the day, cyclists should wear bright clothing. Nighttime cycling is not advised, but if riding at night is necessary, retroreflective clothing, designed to bounce back motorists’ headlight beams, will make cyclists more visible. Make sure the bicycle has the right safety equipment: a red rear reflector; a white front reflector; a red or colorless spoke reflector on the rear wheel; an amber or colorless reflector on the front wheel; pedal reflectors; a horn or bell; and a rear view mirror. A bright headlight is recommended for night riding.
Wear a helmet. Head injuries cause about 85 percent of all bicycling fatalities. The Council strongly urges all cyclists to wear helmets. The first body part to fly forward in a collision is usually the head, and with nothing but skin and bone to protect the brain from injury, the results can be disastrous.
School or community groups interested in the police department’s bike safety program are invited to contact the Traffic Bureau for further information.
**NEW** GIRL SCOUT TROOP 40534 SILVER AWARD PROJECT: "The Bikeways of Cranford" (Interactive Map and Website)