Is it legal to ride your bike on a Charlotte sidewalk? Not in these sections of uptown
With the recent opening of designated bike paths on two busy streets, Charlotte officials are working to make the city more bicycle-friendly.
The first segment of planned bicycle lanes in uptown Charlotte opened in April, The Charlotte Observer reported. The eventual seven miles of lanes will connect to a 40-mile network of bike lanes across Charlotte, officials said.
Unfortunately, crash data from recent years indicate that the city still has work to do.
From 2015 to 2020, there were 562 crashes involving bicycles in Charlotte, resulting in nearly 600 injuries and 14 deaths, according to data from NCDOT.
Cyclists most recently filled uptown and neighborhood streets last month engaging in a 7-mile ride to protest what they called city and state transportation plans far too focused on accommodating cars over people.
Previously, the city released a list of 250 planned road, bike-lane, sidewalk and intersection improvement projects that officials said would make it easier and safer traveling through Charlotte. In April, the first leg of 7 miles of planned bicycle lanes in uptown opened. The new lanes along Fifth and Sixth streets aim to improve safety for cyclists, walkers, joggers and drivers alike, city officials said.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe while biking in Charlotte.
Are bicycles considered vehicles in Charlotte?
According to the Charlotte City Code, bicycles are considered vehicles, meaning cyclists are required to ride on the right side of any paved road.
The city code says bike riders must:
Not ride on the handlebars
Have brakes installed on bikes
Use lamps when riding at night
Not leave bikes unattended anywhere other than a bike rack
Not leave a bike in any place where someone may be injured by it
Not ride along the right-of-way of railroad tracks
In Charlotte, it is legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk except for streets located within the area bounded by Church Street, Stonewall Street, College Street and Seventh Street, per city law.
Cyclists can also ride in parks along designated paths, according to the city code. In groups of two or more riders, the law says bicycles must stay in a single file line.
Can you get a ticket for driving while impaired on a bicycle?
Since bikes are considered vehicles, the same rules apply when it comes to impaired driving.
Any person who rides a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance can be charged with driving while impaired, per state law.
Kids should wear helmets when riding a bicycle
According to state law, children under 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
State law also says it is illegal for a parent of a child under 16 to allow them to ride unless they can maintain a seated position on a bike, or are seated on a tandem bicycle or restraining seat.
What are some safety tips for riding a bicycle in Charlotte?
The Charlotte Department of Transportation offers the following safety tips for bike riders in Charlotte:
Ride in a straight line and do not weave between parked vehicles.
Do not wear headphones so you can pay attention to your surroundings.
Check your brakes often and tighten any loose bolts, nuts or screws.
Look for alternate routes along neighborhood streets with minimal traffic.
Ride defensively and predictably.
Wear bright-colored clothing to increase your visibility.
Use your left arm for hand signals to let drivers know where you’re going.
Avoid riding over potential hazards like drainage grates, cracked pavement or broken glass.
Observer reporter Joe Marusak contributed to this story.
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
