Plainfield, NJ Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)

Article 26 of Chapter 16 of the Plainfield Municipal Code is the City's pedalcycle article, and § 16:26-7 holds its operating rules. The article defines a pedalcycle in § 16:26-2 as a vehicle with wheel(s) fourteen (14) inches or over in diameter, propelled by human power, upon which any person can ride. It does not use the words bike lane, so the riding rules below apply to streets and sidewalks in the City of Plainfield without any lane-specific provision.

Parking and obstruction come first. Under § 16:26-7(a), an operator cannot leave a pedalcycle lying or standing on a sidewalk or street in a way that hinders or impedes pedestrian or vehicular traffic. The operator must place it to avoid annoyance and danger of accident while away, and must chain and lock it when unattended.

Section 16:26-7(b) makes it unlawful to hold on to another moving vehicle, coast with both feet off the pedals, race, do tricks, carry a second person on a pedalcycle built for one, carry items that would impede safe operation, or ride on surfaces deemed unsafe for the pedalcycle. Under § 16:26-7(c), no one can ride on any sidewalk, except in residential sections, and then only when pedestrians are not using it. Under § 16:26-7(d), a person riding on a street gets all the rights and carries all the duties of a vehicle driver under Chapter 4 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes of New Jersey, except provisions that by their nature cannot apply.

Licensing sits beside the riding rules. Section 16:26-3 requires a license, with a tag attached to the frame in a conspicuous location, before anyone rides on any street, public highway or public property. A tag issued by another New Jersey municipality counts. The Police Division keeps the registration record and can inspect any pedalcycle on a street, public highway or public place for a displayed tag and proper mechanical condition (§ 16:26-4).