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Chapter 6: Bicycles
Bicycles
Bicycle riding is an important means of transportation, particularly for traveling to and from work and school. Because bicycles are vehicles, bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as other drivers. Bicyclists usually ride on the right side of the lane, but are entitled to the use of a full lane.
Pass With Care
A bicyclist staying to the right in their lane is accommodating the following drivers by making it easier to see when it is safe to pass, and easier to execute the pass. Drivers wishing to pass a bicyclist may do so only when there is abundant clearance and no oncoming traffic is in the opposing lane. When passing a bicyclist, always remember the bicyclist is entitled to the use of the full lane.
Go With The Flow
It is especially important for bicyclists to Go With The Flow, NOT against the flow. Ride right, with the traffic, NOT facing traffic.
Motorists often do not look in the direction of bicyclists riding the wrong way.
Like drivers, bicyclists must:
- ride on the right side of the road;
- stop for stop signs and red lights; and
- give hand signals.
Be Visible
Visibility is important during both daylight hours and at night. During the daylight, avoid being obscured by other vehicles. At night, the law requires that a bicycle be equipped with a light on the front visible for a distance of at least 300 feet and a red light or reflector on the rear visible for a distance for at least 200 feet.
Think Bike
Bicyclists can be expected on all roads except where expressly prohibited. Bicycles are narrow and typically operate at the right of the lane, so may be obscured and difficult to detect. Avoid the Left Cross, Drive Out, and Right Hook types of potential collisions shown
below.
Children on bicycles can be unpredictable. Be certain your child has been instructed about how to ride a bicycle properly and knows the necessary signs, signals and rules.
All bicycle riders and passengers under the age of 16 must wear an approved protective bicycle
helmet and must be seated on a saddle seat.
A passenger weighing less than 40 pounds or less than 40 inches in height must be seated in
a bicycle restraining seat.
For more information about bicycle riding skills for yourself and your child, write to:
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Bicycle & Pedestrian Division
1552 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1552
Or call (919) 807-0777
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Did You Know?
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