More people take to the roads for travel or recreation during the summer months, raising the importance of motorists and bicyclists respecting each other’s rights. North Carolina law defines a bicycle
as a vehicle, which gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers on state roads.

“Bicyclists and motorists share the road and need to travel responsibly,” said Tom Norman, director of NCDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Division. “Everyone on our highways should use caution and obey traffic laws in order to reach their destination safely.”

Each year, more than 900 bicycle-motor vehicle crashes are reported to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. Summer is a busy season, as the majority of incidents occur between the months of May and September, and between the hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. From 2002 to 2006, 112 bicyclists were killed in collisions with motor vehicles, and more than 2,300 were injured.

NCDOT encourages bicyclists to follow these safety tips when riding on the road:
• Always wear a bicycle helmet;
• Ride on the right-hand side of the road, in the same direction as other vehicles;
• Obey all traffic signs and signals;
• Properly signal all movements and make sure movements can be made safely;
• Yield to drivers and pedestrians, as appropriate; and
• Avoid riding at night, but if you do, be sure to use a headlight visible from a distance of 300 feet and a red reflector visible at a distance of 200 feet, as well as wear reflective clothing.

NCDOT also urges motorists to follow these safety tips when encountering bicyclists:
• Keep a lookout for oncoming bicyclists when turning left and wait for them to clear the intersection before completing your turn;
• State law states that motorists must pass at least two feet to the left of a bicyclist. After passing a bicyclist, take care not to cut them off by immediately turning right in front of them;
• Slow down when passing a bicyclist to make sure the rider is aware of your presence and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the bicyclist;
• Stay alert for bicyclists who suddenly swerve or turn in front of you; and
• Yield to bicyclists, when appropriate, as you would for other motor vehicles.

For more information on bicycle safety, laws pertaining to the operation of a bicycle and bicycle crash facts, visit the Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation’s Web site at www.ncdot.gov/transit/bicycle/.

***NCDOT***