Is It Actually Legal to Ride a Bicycle on New Jersey Highways? What You Need to Know

Can You Legally Ride a Bike on New Jersey Highways? Here is What the Law Says

photo courtesy of NJDOT

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, With unseasonably warm weather hitting the Garden State, many New Jersey residents are dusting off their handlebars, tuning up their gears, and ditching four wheels for two.

Whether you are cycling to crush your fitness goals, dodging skyrocketing gas prices, or commuting to work, traveling by bicycle is booming in North Jersey. But if you are trying to get from point A to point B in the Garden State, you will inevitably run into a major highway.

This raises a crucial safety and legal question for local riders: Is it actually legal to ride a bicycle on New Jersey highways? The short answer is yes—but with major exceptions. Here is a breakdown of what New Jersey traffic law actually says about highway cycling.

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The Golden Rule: Cyclists Have the Same Rights as Cars

In general, New Jersey state law grants bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities on the roadway as motorists.

Because many residents rely on bicycles as their primary mode of transportation and sole means of commuting to work, the state permits bicycle traffic on various highways to ensure everyone has equitable access to their jobs and communities.

However, just because you can ride on some highways doesn’t mean you can ride on all of them.

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Where Biking is Strictly Banned in NJ

To protect public safety, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) explicitly bans bicycle traffic on specific high-speed interstates, freeways, and divided highways.

If a highway features a median divider, a concrete wall, or exceptionally high speed limits, bicycles are almost always prohibited. You cannot legally ride a bicycle on:

• The New Jersey Turnpike (Entire length)

• The Garden State Parkway (Entire length)

• Route 208 (Through Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Oakland, and Hawthorne)

• Various other major interstate highways

Before you map out a long-distance ride, always check the NJDOT prohibited roadways list to ensure your route is legally accessible for cyclists.

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Essential New Jersey Road Rules for Cyclists

On state highways and local roads where bicycles are permitted, you must follow the exact same rules of the road as trucks and cars. According to the New Jersey Bicycle & Pedestrian Resource Center, key laws include:

• Keep to the Right: Cyclists must ride “as near to the right roadside as practicable.” * When You Can Move Left: You are legally allowed to move into the main traffic lane to make a left turn, pass a slower vehicle, or avoid hazardous road debris and objects on the shoulder.

• Yield to Pedestrians: Just like motorists, cyclists must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks.

The Bottom Line

While local streets offer a casual cruising experience, navigating a busy New Jersey highway requires a firm understanding of state law and heightened situational awareness. Stay visible, wear a helmet, and know your route restrictions before you pedal out!

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