Drive or ride a bike in the Charlotte area? These are the rules of the road to know
Spring and summer are prime times for breaking out your bicycle, whether for fun, exercise or just to get around town in the Charlotte area. And in both North Carolina and South Carolina, there are laws in place for both cyclists and drivers intended to keep the roads safe for everyone.
But as heated discussions on social media, such as a recent Nextdoor post that drew more than 70 comments, and protests in Charlotte show, not everyone is aware of the guidelines or in agreement about what constitutes proper etiquette.
“People in this city (Charlotte) routinely forget that the roads belong to everyone equally — motorists, cyclists, skaters, scooters and pedestrians all have an inherent right to exist on our streets,” John Holmes, an organizer of Charlotte Critical Mass Ride said ahead of a recent demonstration calling for road safety measures for cyclists.
Here’s what to know about the rules of the road for cyclists and drivers in Charlotte-area communities:
Charlotte, North Carolina laws for cyclists
In the City of Charlotte, bicycles are considered vehicles under law. That means cyclists must ride on the right side of any paved road.
You can ride bikes on the sidewalk in Charlotte, except within the area bounded by Church, Stonewall, College and Seventh streets. Cyclists can’t ride along the right-of-way of railroad tracks.
Parts of Charlotte do have bike lanes, and more are planned as part of the Uptown CycleLink program.
City codes also say cyclists can’t ride on their bike’s handlebars and must have brakes installed and lamps when riding at night You can’t leave bikes unattended anywhere in the city other than a bike rack or in any place where someone may be injured by it.
Under state law, you can be charged with driving while impaired if you ride a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
State codes also say anyone under 16 years old has to wear a helmet while riding a bike and that it’s illegal for parents and guardians to let kids under 16 ride a bike unless they can maintain a seated position on a bike or are seated on a tandem bicycle or restraining seat.
South Carolina laws for cyclists, driving around bicycles
In South Carolina, “drivers are encouraged to share the road and be on the lookout for bicyclists because they are smaller than motor vehicles and are often more difficult to see,” per the state’s Department of Public Safety.
Drivers must “exercise due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist,” “maintain a safe operating distance from the bicyclist” and “refrain from harassing or throwing objects at the bicyclist,” state codes say.
Additionally, DPS says, cyclists “have the same duties and privileges of a motor vehicle when on a public roadway.”
State codes say cyclists need to:
“Ride as a vehicle, ride with traffic, and obey all traffic signs.
Ride as far to the right as practical.
If a bike lane is present, stay in the bike lane unless your destination lies in a different direction. For instance, if you need to pass another bicyclist, turn left, or if a roadway obstruction exists, you would move outside of the bike lane.
If you are riding in a group, do not ride more than two side-by-side.
If you are riding your bike after dark, use lights and reflectors to help increase your chances of being seen by motorists.”
