Help Desk
State law does not outlaw riding on the sidewalk, although some municipalities have passed local ordinances that prohibit doing so. Bicycles, however, are considered vehicles and belong on the road. A notable exception made for small children.
Yes, bicycles are allowed on city streets and major roadways, but there are some restrictions highways. Check out NJDOT’s webpage on highway restrictions and bridges and tunnels for more detailed information. For more on riding a bicycle on the road, check out our Bicycle Laws webpage on the rights and duties of bicycle riders on roadways and keeping to the right.
Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a white light lamp on the front and a red-light lamp on the rear.
Every bicycle shall be equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving an audible signal. Sirens or whistles cannot be used on bicycles.
Check out out Bicycle Laws webpage for more details.
Bicyclists 17 years of age or younger must use helmet when riding a bicycle. Violators of the helmet law will receive warnings for their first offense. Parents or legal guardians may be fined a maximum of $25 for the 1st offense (after a warning has been issued) and a maximum of $100 for subsequent offense(s).
NJ Transit allows collapsible bicycles on all of its trains at any time. However, standard bicycles and Segways are prohibited during certain times and on certain trains. All bicycles as well as Segway vehicles are permitted on the Atlantic City Rail Line at all times. Click here for more details. Click here for even more information bringing bicycles on trains, buses, and ferries.
Children under the age of 17 are required by state law to wear a helmet. While adults are generally discouraged (and in some municipalities, banned) from riding on the sidewalk, young children learning how to ride a bike are allowed on the sidewalk. Parents may be held responsible for their child if s/he does not obey bicycle laws. Click here on how to teach children to bike (and walk) safely.
Drivers must STOP if a pedestrian is walking within a marked crosswalk. Failure by a motorist to stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian who is within a crosswalk may be subject to one or more of the following penalties: 2 points applied to your NJ Drivers’ license; $200 fine (plus court fees); and 15 days community service. Click here for more details.
- Motorists must remain vigilant and aware of pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists at all times.
- They must obey all traffic laws and be particularly aware of pedestrians while making turns or at signalized intersections.
- They should keep their windshields clear in order to increase visibility as much as possible and keep in mind pedestrians will be especially difficult to spot at night or in adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or ice.
- Unless a police officer directs a pedestrian to do otherwise, pedestrians only cross when the light is green or the pedestrian “WALK” signal is displayed.
- Other than crosswalks, vehicles have the right-of-way and pedestrians should not expect motorists to stop for them. Cross at crosswalks whenever possible; if this is not possible, pedestrians need to exercise extreme caution when crossing.
- A pedestrian is responsible for his/her own behavior by obeying traffic laws, being attentive to his/her surroundings, and only crossing when and where it is appropriate.
- Pedestrians may only use crosswalks to cross the street. At intersections where traffic is directed by a police officer or traffic signal, no pedestrian shall enter upon or cross the highway at a point other than a crosswalk.
- Pedestrians are required to use sidewalks where they are available. When there is no sidewalk, pedestrians must travel on the left side of the road so they are able to see oncoming traffic.
- Pedestrians should look left first, then right, and left again before crossing a street.
- Pedestrians who fail to utilize a crosswalk or fail to obey pedestrian signals may result in a fine of up to $54.00 for failure to observe the law.
Check out our Bicycle Laws webpage where you can find new jersey laws regarding bikes and other tips on how to bike safely! If you can’t find what you are looking for, be sure to ask our help desk.
Check out our Pedestrian Laws webpage where you can find new jersey laws regarding pedestrians and other tips on how to walk safely! If you can’t find what you are looking for, be sure to ask our help desk.
Drivers are required to use “due caution” whenever they encounter vulnerable people on the road, meaning:
- Drivers must move over a lane (if there’s one to move into) while following all current no-passing and no speeding laws.
- On a single-lane road, drivers must provide a distance of at least 4 feet to safely pass a vulnerable road user.
- If 4 feet is not possible, drivers must slow to 25 mph and be prepared to stop until they can pass safely without endangering those sharing the road.
If you want to learn more, check out our Safe Passing Law webpage!
Check out our Laws and Guidance tab! If you can’t find what you are looking for, be sure to ask our help desk.
- E-bikes come in two forms:
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- Low Speed Electric Bicycles
- Reaches the speed of 20 mph max.
- Has an electric motor of 750 watts or less.
- May be parked on sidewalks without blocking pedestrian traffic.
- No license, insurance, or registration is required.
- Must follow all laws applicable to bicycles.
- Helmet use is required for those under age 17.
- May be pedal assist or throttle powered.
- Motorized Bicycles
- Reaches speeds between 20 and 28 mph.
- Gas pedal bicycle with maximum piston displacement under 50 cc.
- Requires a driver license, registration, and insurance.
- Helmet use is required.
- Low Speed Electric Bicycles
- E-scooters are:
- Reaches the speed of 19 mph max.
- May be parked on sidewalks without blocking pedestrian traffic.
- Riding on sidewalk is up to each municipality. Check local ordinances.
- No license, insurance, or registration required.
- Must follow all laws applicable to bicycles.
- Helmet use is required for those under age 17.
- Motorized scooters are:
- Vehicles with motors not manufactured to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Not allowed on public roads, sidewalks, or public lands.
- Examples include motorized skateboards, hoverboards, pocket bikes, and super pockets bikes.
Check out our Micromobility webpage! If you can’t find what you are looking for, be sure to ask our help desk.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all traffic lights, signs, and signals.
- It is advised to wear helmets to minimize potential head injury. Risers 17 years of age or younger must use helmet. Violators of the helmet law will receive warnings for their first offense. Parents or legal guardians may be fined a maximum of $25 for the 1st offense (after a warning has been issued) and a maximum of $100 for subsequent offense(s).
- Park devices without blocking pedestrian and/or wheelchair access.
- You should not ride on sidewalks. Off-road trails generally do not allow motorized bicycles, but may allow e-bikes and e-scooter. Check out local ordinances for any rules that may affect you in your municipality or county. Be sure to ride slowly in areas with pedestrians.
The rules for class 1 and class 2 low-speed e-bikes are similar to the laws applied to traditional bicycles. There is no license or registration required for e-bikes at the state level, although some towns may offer registration. As per NJSA 39:4-14.16, you can ride your e-bike on bike lanes, streets, highways, and roadways in New Jersey, except for those where all bicycle traffic is restricted by regulation. E-scooters must follow all the laws that apply to bicycles.
You may park your e-bike in public bicycle racks or on the sidewalk as long as it does not obstruct pedestrian movement. Like e-bikes, e-scooters are allowed to be parked on sidewalks as long as they do not block pedestrian access.
- In the case of a natural surface (wood chips or bare earth), e-bikes are not permitted on trails designated for non-motorized vehicles unless the owner of the facility, such as the local or county government, specifically allows e-bikes.
- The rules for paved bikeways and shared-use paths are the opposite; e-bikes and e-scooters are, by default, permitted on paved paths where traditional bikes are allowed, but local or county governments have the authority to restrict them.
- On state-managed facilities, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection allows class 1 and 2 e-bikes on improved multi-use trails with hard surfaces such as crushed stone or asphalt that are suitable for both e-bikes and traditional bicycles.
- E-bikes are permitted in all national parks on trails open to pedal bicycles, with minor exceptions.
- Since the New Jersey law specifies that local governments can restrict the use of class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on trails, even if traditional pedal bikes are allowed, be sure to check local rules and regulations before taking your e-bike or e-scooter on a trail or a boardwalk.
- NJ Transit: NJ Transit encourages the use of low-speed micromobility devices such as bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, segways, and hoverboards by allowing you to bring them aboard NJ Transit vehicles, including rail, light rail, and buses. Folding personal devices are always allowed on NJ Transit rail, light rail, and buses. NJ Transit does not differentiate between a traditional bicycle and a low-speed e-bike; all of these devices are considered “non-folding personal vehicles”. There is no requirement for an additional permit to carry your low-speed e-bike on NJ Transit, but charging electric vehicles on-board is prohibited. Learn more at njtransit.com/bikes.
- Non-folding personal vehicles are permitted on NJ Transit Rail with restrictions depending on train line and time of day.
- Non-folding personal vehicles are always permitted on NJ Transit buses using bicycle racks on the front or with underfloor luggage compartments on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Non-collapsible e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards can be carried on board Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and Newark Light Rail vehicles from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays.
- Both collapsible and non-collapsible personal vehicles are permitted on all River LINE light rail vehicles at all times.
- PATH: Electric bikes, scooters, or skateboards are not permitted on PATH.
- PATCO: Traditional bicycles are permitted on PATCO trains between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. E-bikes and e-scooters are not explicitly prohibited.
Municipal and county governments can restrict where class 1 and class 2 e-bikes are allowed. Be sure to check local rules and regulations before taking your e-bike or e-scooter on a boardwalk, and look out for signs when riding.
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Email: bikeped@ejb.rutgers.edu
Telephone: (848) 932-7901