Cycling through the charming Victorian streets of Cape May is a quintessential experience. Before you hop on a bike and explore, Cape May Bike Rentals offer everything you need to know, from where to rent and what’s provided to safety guidelines and the best cycling routes. Get all the essential information right here before you begin your Cape May biking adventure!
General Biking Information in Cape May
Before you start pedaling, here are a few important things to keep in mind for biking around Cape May:
- Boardwalk/Promenade Cycling: Enjoy a scenic ride on the Boardwalk/Promenade, but remember that bicycle riding is only permitted in the morning until 10 AM.
- Beach Restrictions: Bicycles are not allowed on Cape May beaches.
- Helmet Law: New Jersey state law requires all riders under the age of 17 to wear a helmet. Safety first for our younger cyclists!
- Traffic Rules: Always ride with the flow of traffic, staying on the right side of the road. Just like driving a car, obey all traffic laws, including stop signs and traffic signals.
Bicyclists riding surrey bikes in Cape May, enjoying a sunny day.
Top Cape May Bike Rental Shops
Ready to rent your perfect bike? Cape May offers several excellent bike rental shops to choose from. Here are some of the top options:
Beach & Howard St. Bike Rentals (Hotel Macomber)
Locations:
- Beach & Howard St. at the Hotel Macomber
- 1100 Block of New Jersey Ave. (behind Buckingham Hotel)
- 135 Sunset Blvd., W. Cape May (just before Wicker Outlet)
- Cape May, NJ 08204
- Phone: 609-884-8011 / 609-898-RENT
Bike Types Offered: Beach & Howard St. Rentals provides a wide variety of bikes to suit everyone’s needs, including traditional bikes, tandem bikes (double seaters), fun surrey bikes, children’s bikes, alley cats (bike attachments for children), child trailers, beach carts, beach chairs, and even wheelchairs.
Operating Months: You can rent bikes from May through October.
Hours of Operation:
- In Season (May-Oct):
- Main Location (Howard St.): 7 AM—7 PM
- New Jersey Ave. & Sunset Blvd.: 8 AM—2 PM (It’s always a good idea to call ahead to confirm hours at these locations).
- Off Season (Nov-Apr): Hours are variable depending on weather and conditions. Calling in advance is highly recommended to confirm if they are open and their hours.
Rental Rates:
- Hourly: $5
- Daily: $10
- 24-Hour Rate: $15
- 3-Day Rate: $25
- Weekly: $35
Included with Rental: Helmets and bike locks are provided free of charge with every rental.
Additional Charges: Baby seats and baskets are available for an additional fee.
Delivery Service: Yes, delivery is available for rentals of 24 hours or more. Delivery is free, but requires a minimum rental order of $40.
Selection of traditional bikes and surrey bikes available for rent at Beach & Howard St. Bike Rentals.
Village Bicycle Shop
Location: 605 Lafayette Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Phone: 609-884-8500
Bike Types Offered: Village Bicycle Shop offers a selection of traditional bikes, double seaters (tandem bikes), and surrey bikes.
Operating Months: Open for a long season, from March through December, making it a great option for shoulder season cycling.
Hours of Operation:
- In Season (Mar-Dec): 7 AM—7 PM
- Off Season (Jan-Feb): Generally 8 AM—5 PM daily, weather permitting. It’s best to call ahead to confirm hours during the off-season due to weather variability.
Rental Rates:
- Hourly: $5
- Daily: $12
- Weekly: $40 per standard bicycle. Double seaters and surreys are priced slightly higher.
Included with Rental: Helmets, baby seats, and bike locks are all included at no extra charge.
Delivery Service: Yes, but delivery is limited to weekly cycle rentals only. You need to visit the shop first to choose and pay for your rental. They kindly request that you refrain from asking for delivery if you are located just a few blocks away from the shop. Bike pick-up can be arranged at the end of your stay for weekly rentals.
Exterior of Village Bicycle Shop in Cape May with bikes parked outside.
Another view of Village Bicycle Shop showcasing the bike selection.
Shields’ Bike Rentals
Location: 11 Gurney Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Phone: 609-898-1818 / 609-884-BIKE
Bike Types Offered: Shields’ Bike Rentals provides traditional bikes, surreys, double seaters, children’s bikes, and adult bikes with child attachments. They do not offer mountain bikes or bikes with gears, focusing on comfortable cruising bikes.
Operating Months: Open from April through November.
Hours of Operation:
- In Season (Apr-Nov): 7 AM—7 PM daily.
- Off Season (Dec-Mar): 9 AM—dusk, weather permitting. Calling ahead is recommended to confirm hours during the off-season.
Rental Rates:
- Hourly: $5
- Daily: $10
- Weekly: $35
Included with Rental: Helmets, locks, and baskets are provided at no extra charge.
Additional Charges: Baby seats are available for a nominal charge of $2 per day or $5 per week.
Delivery Service: Yes, delivery is available for weekly cycle rentals at no extra charge.
Shields' Bike Rentals storefront with various bikes displayed.
Where to Ride Your Cape May Bike Rental
Cape May is truly a bike-friendly town! You’ll see cyclists everywhere. If you’re biking with children, you might want to avoid the most crowded areas during peak summer months. Here are some popular and local-favorite cycling spots in Cape May:
- Boardwalk/Promenade: As mentioned earlier, enjoy the ocean views on the Boardwalk until 10 AM.
- Madison Avenue: Offers designated bike lanes on a section of the road, from the water tower to the beach.
- New Jersey Avenue: Features dedicated bike lanes along the entire street, from Madison Avenue to Wilmington Avenue, leading you to Poverty Beach.
- Pittsburgh Avenue: Also has bike lanes from Texas Avenue to the beach. The state streets branching off Pittsburgh Avenue, like Virginia and Ohio Avenues, are also pleasant for cycling.
- Sunset Boulevard: Has a wide shoulder for cyclists. Be mindful of faster traffic on this road. Take Sunset Boulevard to Sunset Beach to see the famous sunken concrete ship, hunt for Cape May diamonds, and explore the Sunset Beach Gift Shop.
- Cape May Point: Sunset Blvd. is your path to Cape May Point, a true biking paradise. Turn left onto Lighthouse Road to visit the iconic Cape May Lighthouse and explore Cape May Point State Park.
- West Cape May: A beautiful area for cycling, especially the numbered streets from Second to Sixth Avenues. Fourth Avenue is particularly wide and can be used as a scenic back road to Cape May Point. Follow Fourth Avenue from Broadway across Bayshore Road where it becomes Stevens Street. Stevens Street will take you out to Sunset Blvd., putting you close to Cape May Point.
- Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area: Take a side trip off Sunset Blvd. onto Bayshore Road, then left onto New England Road to reach the Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area.
- Cold Spring Bike Path: Located in Lower Township, this path offers a traffic-free cycling experience. Take Broadway to Sandman Blvd. (Ferry Rd.), turn right, and the bike path will be on your left. Historic Cold Spring Village is located right along this path, making for a great stop.
- Cape May-Lewes Ferry: For a scenic ride to watch the ferries dock and depart, take Broadway to Sandman Blvd., but this time turn left. This road leads directly to the Delaware Bay and the ferry terminal.
For more detailed route information, you can download and print these helpful guides:
Cyclists riding along a tree-lined street in Cape May.
With so many options for Cape May bike rentals and fantastic places to ride, you’re all set for a memorable cycling experience in this beautiful Victorian seaside town!
