New Jersey law does not provide a simple statewide yes-or-no rule for riding a low-speed electric scooter on a sidewalk. State law identifies several places where these scooters may be operated, while local ordinances can also affect sidewalk use. As a result, riders should check the rules in the municipality where they are riding.
Even where sidewalk riding is not expressly prohibited, e-scooter riders should use extra caution around pedestrians, intersections, driveways, and other areas where visibility may be limited.
Key Takeaways: Are E-Scooters Allowed on Sidewalks in New Jersey?
- New Jersey does not expressly impose a blanket statewide ban on riding low-speed electric scooters on every sidewalk.
- State law specifically permits low-speed electric scooters on streets, highways, roadways, and bicycle paths, subject to certain restrictions.
- Local municipalities and other government entities may impose additional rules affecting sidewalk use.
- Riders under age 17 are generally required to wear an approved helmet.
- E-scooter riders are generally subject to many of the same traffic rules as bicycle riders.
- Violating a local riding rule may become relevant if an accident leads to a personal injury claim.
What Does New Jersey Consider a Low-Speed Electric Scooter?
New Jersey law defines a low-speed electric scooter as a scooter with a floorboard that the operator can stand on, handlebars, and an electric motor capable of propelling the device, with or without human power, at a maximum speed of less than 19 mph.
This definition matters because not every powered scooter necessarily falls into the same legal category. Faster or differently configured devices may be subject to different rules.
Under New Jersey law, many of the statutes, rules, and regulations that apply to bicycles also apply to low-speed electric scooters unless a particular bicycle rule does not reasonably apply to that type of device.
Can You Ride an E-Scooter on a Sidewalk in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not expressly impose a blanket statewide ban on riding a low-speed electric scooter on every sidewalk. However, state law specifically identifies streets, highways, roadways, and bicycle paths as permitted operating locations, while local ordinances may also restrict sidewalk use.
New Jersey also does not impose a general statewide ban on bicycle riding on sidewalks, and bicycle rules generally apply to low-speed electric scooters. Still, municipalities and other government entities may adopt their own restrictions.
Because of that, riders should check the rules that apply in the municipality where they plan to ride.
State law separately provides that a low-speed electric scooter may generally be parked on a sidewalk as long as it does not interfere with the normal movement of pedestrians or other traffic.
Why Do Local E-Scooter Rules Matter?
New Jersey gives local governments authority to regulate certain aspects of low-speed electric scooter operation. That means riders should not assume the rules are identical from one town or city to another.
Local restrictions may address issues such as:
- Whether scooters may be ridden on particular sidewalks
- Where scooters may be parked
- Whether scooters are allowed in certain parks, business districts, or public spaces
- Whether additional speed or safety restrictions apply in designated areas
Local rules can also change over time as municipalities respond to increased use of e-scooters and other forms of micromobility.
Checking the current municipal code or local transportation guidance before riding can help prevent uncertainty about whether scooter use is permitted in a particular location.
Where Can You Legally Ride an E-Scooter in New Jersey?
Under New Jersey law, low-speed electric scooters may generally be operated on:
- Streets
- Highways
- Roadways
- Bicycle paths
However, there are exceptions.
A local government or state agency may prohibit low-speed electric scooters on bicycle paths under its jurisdiction. In addition, a scooter generally may not be operated on a natural-surface trail designated for nonmotorized traffic unless the government entity with jurisdiction permits it.
The statewide e-scooter statute does not limit scooters only to roads with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less. Riders should instead follow applicable traffic laws and any local restrictions governing the particular road or area.
What Traffic Laws Apply to E-Scooter Riders?
Because many bicycle laws also apply to low-speed electric scooters, riders generally have to follow ordinary traffic-control rules when operating on the roadway.
Depending on the situation, this may include requirements involving:
- Traffic lights and stop signs
- Yielding when required
- Riding with the flow of traffic
- Lighting and visibility equipment
- Safe operation around vehicles and pedestrians
Riders also need to follow any rules that apply specifically to the location where they are traveling.
At the same time, motorists have specific duties when approaching or passing e-scooter riders. New Jersey's Safe Passing Law expressly includes low-speed electric scooters among the personal conveyances it protects.
Depending on road and traffic conditions, a driver approaching or passing an e-scooter rider may be required to change lanes, leave at least four feet of passing distance, or slow down and be prepared to stop.
These rules can become important when determining whether a driver's conduct contributed to an accident.
Do You Need a License, Registration, or Helmet to Ride an E-Scooter?
Under New Jersey law, a person operating a qualifying low-speed electric scooter does not need to register the scooter or have a driver's license.
New Jersey also generally requires riders under age 17 to wear an approved helmet.
Adults are not subject to that same statewide helmet requirement, although wearing a helmet can still reduce the risk of serious injury in a fall or collision.
Why Can Sidewalk Riding Be Risky Even When It Is Not Prohibited?
Whether sidewalk riding is legally restricted is only one consideration. Sidewalks can still create safety risks for both scooter riders and pedestrians.
A scooter can travel much faster than someone walking, while drivers pulling out of driveways or turning through intersections may not expect a faster-moving rider to approach from the sidewalk.
Potential hazards include:
- Pedestrians unexpectedly changing direction
- Driveways and parking-lot entrances
- Uneven pavement or curb cuts
- Limited visibility around buildings and parked cars
- Conflicts at intersections and crosswalks
When riders and pedestrians share the same space, slowing down and giving pedestrians plenty of room can reduce the risk of a collision.
What Happens If an E-Scooter and Pedestrian Collide on a Sidewalk?
Liability after a sidewalk accident depends on the circumstances rather than simply on the fact that the crash happened on a sidewalk.
One important question is whether a local rule restricted scooter use at that location. If the rider violated a municipal ordinance, that violation may become part of the evidence used to evaluate fault.
However, a violation does not automatically resolve a personal injury case.
Other questions may include:
- How fast the scooter was traveling
- Whether the rider was keeping a proper lookout
- Whether the pedestrian moved unexpectedly into the rider's path
- Whether either person had enough time to avoid the collision
- Whether a dangerous property condition contributed to the accident
In a New Jersey personal injury claim, fault may be divided among more than one person.
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured person can generally recover damages when their share of negligence is not greater than the negligence attributed to the defendant or combined defendants, although compensation is reduced according to their percentage of fault.
What Happens If a Car Hits an E-Scooter Rider?
A collision between an e-scooter and a motor vehicle can involve several different liability issues.
A driver may be responsible if speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, an unsafe turn, improper passing, or another negligent action caused the collision. A rider's own conduct may also be examined, including whether the rider followed traffic laws and any local restrictions.
Evidence such as photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, vehicle damage, and videos can help establish what happened.
Insurance coverage can also be more complicated than in an ordinary car accident.
In the 2024 case Goyco v. Progressive Insurance Company, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that a person operating a low-speed electric scooter was not considered a "pedestrian" for purposes of the state's No-Fault Act and therefore was not entitled to PIP benefits on that basis.
Because of that ruling, an injured e-scooter rider should not assume that ordinary auto PIP rules will automatically apply. Available coverage depends on the circumstances of the crash and the insurance policies involved.
Can a Sidewalk Violation Affect an E-Scooter Injury Claim?
Yes, but it does not automatically defeat the claim.
If a municipality restricted e-scooter riding on the sidewalk where an accident occurred, an insurance company or defendant may argue that the violation contributed to the collision.
The effect of that argument depends on whether the violation actually played a role in causing the accident.
For example, a rider's use of a restricted sidewalk may be relevant if the location contributed to a conflict with a pedestrian. On the other hand, a local violation does not automatically excuse negligent conduct by a driver or another party.
New Jersey's comparative negligence rules allow fault to be evaluated based on the conduct of everyone involved.
What Should You Do After an E-Scooter Accident?
After an e-scooter collision, taking a few practical steps can help preserve evidence and protect your health:
- Seek emergency assistance when anyone is seriously injured or the circumstances require police involvement.
- Obtain contact and insurance information from other involved parties when applicable.
- Take photographs and video of the accident scene, scooter, vehicles, roadway, and surrounding conditions.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Seek appropriate medical evaluation for your injuries.
- Preserve the scooter rather than repairing or discarding it if a mechanical problem may have contributed to the crash.
- Check the local ordinance governing scooter use at the location where the accident happened.
Documentation collected soon after an accident can make it easier to determine what occurred later.
Why Should You Check Local Ordinances Before Riding?
The biggest takeaway for New Jersey e-scooter riders is that statewide law does not provide one simple sidewalk rule that applies everywhere.
New Jersey does not expressly impose a blanket statewide sidewalk-riding ban, but the e-scooter statute specifically identifies other permitted operating locations, and municipalities may impose additional restrictions.
Before riding, especially in a downtown, commercial, or heavily pedestrian area, check the rules adopted by the municipality or government entity that controls that location.
Doing so can help you avoid violating a local rule and can also reduce uncertainty about whether scooter use at that location could become an issue after an accident.
Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away
E-scooter accidents can raise questions about state traffic laws, local ordinances, comparative negligence, and insurance coverage. If you were injured while riding an e-scooter or were hurt in a collision involving one, understanding which rules applied at the exact location of the accident may be an important part of determining liability.
Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law can review the circumstances of an e-scooter accident, identify the laws and local regulations that may apply, and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.