7 Most Bike-Friendly Towns in New Jersey
New Jersey, despite being the most densely populated state in the United States, has some of the most majestic rural regions that make for idyllic, bike-friendly travel. The northern regions of the state are filled with the peaks and cliffsides of what is known as the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, which is perfect for adventure seekers hoping to have an off-road mountain biking experience. The Jersey Shore area is better suited for anyone hoping to have a more leisurely bike ride coupled with the soothing gust of ocean breezes. Meanwhile, the southern and central areas have beautiful, wide county routes that grant riders stunning views of fall foliage and spring blossoms. No matter what type of biking tourists enjoy, New Jersey will not disappoint, and these seven most bike-friendly towns are the best stepping stones to exploring the hidden routes of the state.
Cape May
Cape May is a charming small town located on the southern tip of New Jersey and houses some of the most iconic oceanfront views. The town got its name from one of its earliest explorers, Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, who explored the coastline from 1611 to 1614. However, it was not until the 1700s and 1800s that the town was seen as a hotspot for vacationers seeking a getaway.
For those seeking a town with wonderful natural scenery, historical landmarks, and scenic bike trails, Cape May is the perfect place to start. The community is home to the second largest collection of original Victorian homes in the US, second only to San Francisco. The historical district is a great place to experience a cycling, self-guided tour, of the stunning structures of the town’s heyday. Some notable homes, and their locations, include The George Allen House at 720 Washington Street, the Carroll Villa Hotel at 19 Jackson Street, and the Cook’s Villa at 9 Perry Street.
From here, travelers can journey to the Promenade, a nearly 2-mile walking, running, and cycling path that runs parallel to Beach Avenue. The pathway is an idyllic location, with great views of the ocean and dunes, as well as several businesses, like arcades, shops, and places to eat. Not far from the shore is the Emlem Physick Estate, where guests can view the majestic 1879 structure with a guided tour and then take their cycling trip down Madison Avenue and view the Lost Fisherman Memorial. After a long day in the sun, tourists should drop by the Hemingway’s Steak and Seafood restaurant in the Grand Hotel.
Seaside Park
Seaside Park is a small little town located on the Barnegat Peninsula. Although the city only stretches for a total of 0.81 miles in length, it crams a whole lot of excitement within its small borders. Originally, Seaside Park was actually part of the much larger Toms River, which was then known as Dover Township, until it became an independent town in 1898. Not only are there plenty of tourist attractions worth checking out, there are also family-owned restaurants and shops.
Cycling through this town is the best way to experience Seaside Park. There is the boardwalk running along the dunes and ocean, which offers a majestic view of the town’s natural beauty. The boardwalk stretches for approximately 2.1 miles and connects Seaside Park with the neighboring town of Seaside Heights, and all along the way, travelers can take in views of the sea, the beach houses, and the boardwalk attractions. There is SeaSpray Park, a fun activity park on the boardwalk that is ideal for people with children, and several places to eat and drink, like The Sawmill.
Another excellent place to take a ride is down SW Central Avenue to Shore Road. This roadway will take cyclists down a scenic nature path that leads to Island Beach State Park. However, if travelers choose, they can continue down this path and enjoy the pine and holly trees stretching along the path. The stretch also leads to old structures like the Judge’s Shack and some of the best natural places to enjoy, like the Forked River Interpretive Center and Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center, where visitors can learn more about the ocean and ocean life.
South Brunswick
Unlike the coastal towns of Cape May and Seaside Park, South Brunswick sits further inland and is approximately one to two hours away from the shore. South Brunswick is one of the most underrated towns in New Jersey, with nature parks and broad roadways making travel by bicycle rather simple and straightforward. Some of the best roads for cycling include Cranbury South River Road, Deans Road Hall Road, and Davidson’s Mill Road.
Not only are these roadways broad and scenic for cycling, they also take visitors through beautiful farmland and lead to local parks. In particular, Davidson’s Mill Road tends to have less car traffic and takes cyclists on a scenic route past Woods Road Trailhead. For those looking for a small detour off the roadway to explore this location further by either cycling or hiking, head to the Woodlot Park Trail. This trail is around 1.5 miles long and is especially ideal to visit during early spring and fall.
Further down this roadway, travelers will come to the intersection of Riva Avenue, where, if you turn to the left, you will come to Davidson’s Mill Pond Park. The park is the site of the EARTH Center of Middlesex County, New Jersey. However, the park is also an impressive nature preserve where visitors can explore the natural beauty of Davidson’s Mill Pond and the surrounding trails. There is the Hidden Pond Trail, which is ideal for visiting during the autumn months, as well as the Farm Road Trail.
Princeton
Princeton is a town neighboring South Brunswick, sitting on the western end of the Raritan River across from South Brunswick. While downtown Princeton, with Princeton University and other lovely structures, is the main attraction in town, there are also lots of beautiful nature sites perfect for cyclists. One idyllic site that should take top priority for any biking enthusiasts visiting the area is the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park which is home to plenty of trails and stunning woodlands.
The location is home to the historic site of the original Delaware Canal, established in 1830, to connect trade between New York City and Philadelphia. The park is not solely located within Princeton, stretching for some 70 miles in a linear direction, however, the site is easily accessed from Princeton and has some amazing views. The D & R Canal State Park multi-use trail is probably the main attraction for cyclists since it takes travelers on a scenic 70-mile drive across much of the historical Delaware River Canal and is an especially breathtaking ride during the fall when the trees change colors.
However, there really is no need to leave Princeton to have an exciting biking experience. Route 27 is actually a fantastic spot for a ride since the road will take travelers right down into downtown Princeton via Nassau Street. The road is lined with trees and beautiful homes, and it passes Lake Carnegie Park. There is also a charming wooded area which cyclists can access using Snowden Lane or Van Dyke Road. These roadways will take cyclists through Van Dyke Wright, and up into Herrontown Woods. Herrontown Woods has trails, like the Red, Yellow, and Blue trails, that take visitors through the 100-acre nature preserve.
Lambertville
Lambertville is an adorable town situated along the Delaware River just across the way from New Hope, Pennsylvania. This little community was one of the most important places in New Jersey during the Revolutionary War when it was known as being the site of Coryell’s Ferry. This ferry served to transport people across the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and during the War for Independence, it was vital for the movement of the American Army.
In the summer of 1778, the crossing facilitated the movement of the US army down south towards Monmouth, where the Battle of Monmouth was fought on June 28th. Today, Lambertville is commemorated as part of the Road to Monmouth Battlefield and is an excellent place to visit for those who enjoy history. North Main Street is a great road for cycling and exploring the community’s historical sites since it serves to connect both points of the town and takes cyclists to the local historic Mount Hope Cemetery via South Franklin Street. Travelers can also view and visit the Lambertville House, built in 1812, and the Hawke Inn, built in 1860.
Aside from cruising the streets and viewing the historic landmarks, there are also nearby trails and parks that make for excellent cycling excursions. Similar to its southerly neighbor, Princeton, Lambertville also has parts of the Delaware and Raritan Canal pathways running through its borders. In particular, there is the D & R Canal Towpath which stretches for 13.67 miles and provides stunning views of the river and town, and it is open year-round. Just outside the community’s borders are Rock Hopper Trail and Red Trail Loop, which take hikers, joggers, and bikers on a nearly 4-mile journey through nature. It is a particularly popular spot for bird watching.
Ocean City
Ocean City is a beautiful barrier island off the coast of New Jersey that showcases the small-town charm that makes Southern Jersey so popular. The quiet community dates back to the mid-1800s when Parker Miller, one of the earliest settlers in town, established himself and his family near what is now Asbury Avenue. Folks can explore many of the community’s earliest homes by checking out the Ocean City Residential Historic District.
The Historic District is bounded by Third to Eight Street, Central Avenue, and Ocean Avenue. It is home to some of Ocean City’s oldest and most well-preserved homes and buildings, including 424 Wesley Ave (1920), 301 Central Avenue (1880), and 312 Central Avenue (1890s). These homes lining the well-manicured streets of the historic district make for the ideal bike path and are a great way to start exploring the town’s attractions. Not to mention, it is fairly easy to access Asbury Avenue from Haven Avenue, which is a share-the-road route, making it ideal for traveling through town on a bike.
Although a fantastic starting point, there is much more to see while cycling in town besides the historic district. Luckily, Haven Avenue connects the north end of town to the south, meaning it is the best thoroughfare for cyclists, with access to another popular bike destination, West Avenue, and the boardwalk. The boardwalk stretches along the ocean for approximately 2.5 miles and showcases beautiful ocean views. The Howard Stainton Wildlife Refuge is another fabulous place to spend a few hours cycling or hiking, with 16 acres of pristine natural wildlife just waiting to be enjoyed.
Atlantic City
If New Jersey is known for one town, it is the famous Atlantic City. Although many people probably instantly think of gambling at one of the many resorts, the truth is this community also offers astounding cycling options. Biking enthusiasts can peruse the town via the stunning boardwalk that stretches for approximately four miles in one direction and can be completed in around two hours. The boardwalk has exciting spots that cyclists can enjoy, including views of the city skyline, the ocean, street food options, and Atlantic City-only shows like The Hook.
There is also the Absecon Lighthouse, which folks can cycle to via Atlantic Avenue and S Rhode Island Avenue. After a peaceful ride over, cyclists can lock their bikes to the fence since the site does not have a bike rack for cyclists, and climb the 228 steps to the top of the site. Instead of bringing your own bike, you can rent a bike at Cycles of Life and use their rented bike to explore the streets of the city. Not only do they offer traditional bikes like road racing bikes and single-speed bikes, but they also have tandem bikes for those hoping to cycle together.
While cruising the town on the back of a bike is the perfect way to take in its beauty, there are also nearby nature trails that make for the perfect outing. Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor is only about 30 minutes outside of the city and is home to amazing cycling routes. There are 2 miles of paved roadways around the park and an adventurous 1.8-mile boardwalk through the swampier areas of the park. There is also the over 7-mile pathway from Egg Harbor to the Atlantic County Institute of Technology, which is probably one of the longer and more exciting options.
A lot of tourists hold misconceptions about New Jersey, worrying that the streets are overcrowded and the landscape is overly developed. However, the state is home to 49 state parks nestled in its small borders, as well as over a million acres of publically preserved open spaces. In other words, New Jersey works hard to keep itself the "Garden State," which allows cyclists near and far to enjoy the awesome beauty of the natural landscape. From rugged mountains up north, rolling farmlands in the center and south, to the pristine beaches to the east, New Jersey allows visitors a taste of every kind of terrain, all joined together with the warm and friendly welcome of the local townspeople.
