the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in an effort to enhance pedestrian safety, the Ridgewood Village Council has passed a new ordinance restricting the use of micromobility vehicles—including electric scooters, bicycles, and skateboards—within key areas of the Central Business District.
The ordinance, approved during Wednesday night’s Village Council meeting, prohibits the operation of bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters, skateboards, motorized scooters, and other micromobility devices on sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and entry/exit points of parking facilities in the heart of Ridgewood’s commercial area.
What Are Micromobility Devices?
Micromobility refers to a growing category of small, lightweight personal transportation vehicles, typically electric or pedal-powered. This includes:
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Traditional and electric bicycles
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Electric scooters
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Motorized and non-motorized skateboards
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Electric pedal-assist bicycles
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Shared micromobility fleets like Lime and Bird
According to SAE International, micromobility vehicles generally weigh under 500 kilograms and exclude those powered by internal combustion engines or exceeding speeds of 45 kilometers per hour (~28 mph).
Why the Change?
The new restrictions come in response to rising safety concerns in high-foot-traffic areas. With the increasing popularity of electric scooters and e-bikes, local officials say the time to act is now.
“As technology continues to rapidly advance, it is the duty of law enforcement and government to adapt to these changes in order to safeguard the community,” said Ridgewood Police Chief Forest Lyons. “This ordinance will separate high-speed vehicles and pedestrians, which will prevent accidents—and prevention is always the goal.”
What Parents and Students Need to Know
Parents are strongly encouraged to speak with their children about the updated rules—especially students who commute through downtown Ridgewood using scooters or bikes.
Violating the ordinance may result in warnings, fines, or further action, depending on the circumstances. Law enforcement will be increasing patrols to monitor compliance and ensure that both residents and visitors can enjoy Ridgewood’s downtown safely.
Safer Streets for Everyone
This new policy is part of a broader initiative to improve pedestrian safety and preserve the walkable, family-friendly atmosphere of Ridgewood’s Central Business District. By regulating micromobility devices, the Village aims to reduce collisions and conflicts between fast-moving vehicles and people on foot.
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This is all well in good, who is going to POLICE it? Certainly not the real police!
This certainly will curb the mass problem of pedestrians getting hurt all over Ridgewood. Great use of resources.
Another nail in our dying downtown’s coffin.
How are the kids expected to get to the Performing Arts Center and Paulie’s Pop-Up Park on Franklin?
Very short-sighted.
Thumbs down? I guess you sheep don’t mind vacant storefronts, an embarrassing abandoned movie theater, and the homeless digging thru dumpsters.
The police have done diddly squat for years with all of the regular bicycles illegally riding on the sidewalks. I’ve seen them standing there with a bike riding by them on the sidewalk and not even give a warning. Maybe do your job for $100K plus?
Banning bicycles is insane.