Bike Laws and Safety
The following information is according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and was found on their website: NCDOT.
In North Carolina, the bicycle has the legal status of a vehicle. This means that bicyclists have full rights and responsibilities on the roadway and are subject to the regulations governing the operation of a motor vehicle.
North Carolina traffic laws require bicyclists to:
- Ride on the right in the same direction as other traffic
- Obey all traffic signs and signals
- Use hand signals to communicate intended movements
- Equip their bicycles with a front lamp visible from 300 feet and a rear reflector that is visible from a distance of 200 feet when riding at night
- Wear a bicycle helmet on public roads, public paths and public rights-of-way if the bicyclists is under 16 years old
- Secure child passengers in a child seat or bicycle trailer if under 40 pounds or 40 inches
Safety and Etiquette
- Light Brick on the paths are for bicyclist and the dark brick is for pedestrians.
- Pedestrians and cars always have the right of way over bicycles.
- Follow lane markings.
- Slow down around pedestrians.
- Wear brightly covered clothing at all times.
- Use a bell or shift gears to warn pedestrians when passing them.
- Be aware of the traffic around you and be prepared to take evasive action.
- Learn braking and turning techniques to avoid crashes.
- With helmets, make sure that the helmet fits on top of your head, not tipped back or forward.
- Always look back and use hand and arm signals to indicate your intention to stop, merge or turn.
- Use the rightmost lane that heads in the direction that you are traveling, unless following a bike path.
- At night, use a white front light and red rear light or reflector. Wear reflective tape or clothing.
- Be predictable and make eye contact with motorists/pedestrians to let them know you are there.
- Ride with traffic and obey the same laws as motorists.
- Avoid broken pavement, loose gravel and leaves – which can cause you to lose control
- If it’s raining, leave more distance to stop due to wet brakes.