SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 349
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JANUARY 25, 2024
The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate
Bill No. 349.
As reported, this bill concerns motor vehicles overtaking certain
pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances.
Under current law, the operator of a motor vehicle is required to
take certain actions when approaching a pedestrian, bicycle, low-speed
electric bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, or any other lawful
personal conveyance on the roadways of this State. Additionally,
current law does not define “personal conveyance.”
Under this bill, “personal conveyance” includes, but is not limited
to, a low-speed electric bicycle, a low-speed electric scooter, a manual
wheelchair, a motorized wheelchair or a similar mobility assisting
device used by persons with physical disabilities or by persons whose
ambulatory mobility has been impaired by age or illness, an electric
personal assistive mobility device, a motorized scooter, a skateboard, a
motorized skateboard, roller skates, or any other device used by a
person for transportation.
In addition, this bill makes clarifying changes to the current
definition of “pedestrian.” Under the bill, “pedestrian” includes, but is
not limited to, a pedestrian as defined under current law or any other
person who is upon the roadway and outside of a motor vehicle for
work, emergency response, or recreation.
This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session
pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes
required by technical review, which has been performed.