Is It Legal for Bicycles to Ride in NJ Car Lanes Without a Bike Lane?

Is it legal for a bicycle to drive on a New Jersey road where there isn't a bike lane? New Jersey drivers want to know.

What Are The New Jersey Bicycle Rules On The Roads?

Have you ever driven on a New Jersey road with no shoulder and no bike lane and found yourself behind a bicycle? Is it legal for the bike to be there?

I was driving on a quiet back road in Manalapan this weekend, and there were several bicycle riders on the road, but there was nowhere for them to be except in the car lane.

Of course, I slowed down, kept a distance, and prayed they were going to turn off the road I was on, which they eventually did.

When Is It Legal In NJ For Bicycles To Be In A Car Lane?

But I couldn't help but wonder if their presence on the road was legal. I don't want to see anyone get hurt, and I'm sure not all New Jersey drivers would be as patient as I managed to be.

I conducted some research, and according to the New Jersey Bicycling Guide from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, it is legal for bicycles to be on roads without bike lanes or a shoulder.

Here's what they say about bicycles on New Jersey's roads:

New Jersey traffic law accords bicyclists the same
rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles.
In general, you are best served if you operate your
bicycle as you would a vehicle, following the rules of
the road and obeying all traffic signals, signs and
pavement markings.

So, we all need to remember that when we see a bicycle, we need to take extra care, share the road, and together, we can ensure everyone gets home safely.