Are Electric Scooters Legal in Newark?
Updated on December 1st, 2023
Electric scooters are capped at 15 mph, while electric bikes have a 20 mph speed limit. Riders must not use sidewalks unless the adjacent roadway has a speed limit of 30 mph or above. Helmets are not mandated for individuals 18 and older to encourage higher usage and rely on the 'safety in numbers' effect, although helmet use is strongly advised and many providers offer free helmets. E-scooters should not impede pedestrian traffic when parked. There is no need for registration, licensing, or insurance. Municipalities hold the authority to regulate sidewalk and trail riding specifics.
E-scooters will be limited to 15 mph, and e-bikes to 20mph.
Riding on sidewalks is prohibited, unless the speed limit on the adjacent roadway is 30mph or higher.
For users 18 and older, there will not be a helmet requirement. There are two main reasons for this:
- First, requiring helmets sharply decreases the number of cyclists and micromobility riders on the streets, which makes streets less safe by diluting the "safety in numbers" effect. NACTO has pushed back on these laws as recently as last year.
- Second, a mandatory helmet statute, by reducing the number of customers using a micromobility service, jeopardizes the financial viability of service providers. This has resulted in the collapse of micromobility programs in other cities, such as Seattle.
- That said, users are encouraged to wear helmets, and many providers hand out free helmets as part of their education and outreach.
- Max speeds of 19 mph
- Cannot block pedestrian traffic when parked on sidewalks
- No registration, license or insurance is required for using e-scooters
- Helmets are required for anyone under 17
- Riders must follow all bicycle laws
- Municipalities decide sidewalk/trail riding rules
https://jminjurylawyer.com/blog/nj-scooter-laws/
Max Speed
15 mph for e-scooters, 20 mph for e-bikes
Minimum Age
17 years old to operate an e-scooter
Helmets Required?
Yes, for riders under the age of 17
