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If
you are preparing to commute by bike, please visit the
NC Department
of Transportation's Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian
Transportation website for rules and regulations
before you hit the road.
Tips for Cyclists:
1.
Ride on the right
- Always ride
in the same direction as traffic
- Use the lane
furthest to the right that heads in the direction
that you are traveling
- Slower moving
cyclists and motorists stay to the right
2. On
the road
- The same
laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists
- Obey all traffic control devices,
such as stop signs, lights, and lane markings
- Always use hand signals to indicate
your intention to stop or turn to motorists and cyclists
3. Always wear a properly fitting
helmet
- Make sure that the helmet fits
on top of the head, not tipped back
- Always wear a helmet while riding
a bike, no matter how short the trip
- After a crash or any impact that
affects your helmet, visible or not, replace it immediately
4. Ride predictably
- Ride in a straight line and don't
swerve in the road or between parked cars
- Check for oncoming traffic before
entering any street or intersection
- Anticipate hazards and adjust position
in traffic accordingly
5. Be visible
- Wear brightly colored clothing
at all times
- At night, use a white front light,
red rear light or reflector and reflective tape or
clothing
- Make eye contact with motorists
to let them know you are there
Tips
for Motorists:
1. Drive
cautiously
- Reduce speed
when encountering cyclists
- In inclement
weather, give cyclists extra trailing and passing
room
- Recognize
situations that may be potentially dangerous to cyclists
and give them space
2. Yield
to cyclists
- Cyclists
are considered vehicles and should be given the appropriate
right of way
- Cyclists
may take the entire lane when hazards, road width
or traffic speed dictate
- Motorists
should allow extra time for cyclists to traverse intersections
3. Be
considerate
- Scan for
cyclists in traffic and at intersections
- Do not blast
your horn in close proximity to cyclists
- Look for
cyclists when opening doors
4. Pass
with care
- Leave at
least three feet of space between your car and a cyclist
when passing
- Wait until
road and traffic conditions allow you to safely pass
- Check over
your shoulder after passing a cyclist before moving
back to normal position
5. Watch
for children
- Children
on bicycles are often unpredictable - expect the unexpected
and slow down
- Most children
don't have adequate knowledge of traffic laws
- Children
are harder to see because they are typically smaller
than adults
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