Bike Safety Information

Using a bicycle for transportation at NC State is a great way to get around and between campuses. However, NCSU is an urban campus where most of the cycling is done on-road, alongside motor vehicle traffic.

Know Your Skills

Everyone using a bicycle at NC State should know their individual bicycling skill level and\or comfort level operating a bicycle on different facilities (multi-use paths, on-road, at intersections, etc.). Each bicyclist must ensure that their bicycle is safe and adjusted to provide them with the maximum amount of control.

Know the Laws

It is also important that cyclists know the North Carolina bicycle laws. A complete guide to the laws can be downloaded from the NCDOT Division of Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation, but here are some of the key laws to know:

In North Carolina, the bicycle has the legal status of a vehicle. This means that bicyclists have full rights and responsibilities on the roadway and are subject to the regulations governing the operation of a motor vehicle.

North Carolina traffic laws require bicyclists to:

• Ride on the right in the same direction as other traffic
• Obey all traffic signs and signals
• Use hand signals to communicate intended movements
• Equip their bicycles with a front lamp visible from 300 feet and a red rear reflector or lamp that is visible from a distance of 200 feet when riding at night.
• While helmets are not required by law for cyclists over the age of 16, wearing a helmet can reduce serious head injuries by 85% in a crash.

Motorists

• Expect to see bicycles on the street
• Remember to leave at least 3-feet when passing a cyclist
• Follow the rules of the road as if there were no sharrows present

Bicyclists

• Use sharrows to help guide where to ride in the lane
• Avoid riding too close to parked cars
• Follow the rules of the road as if there were no sharrows present

For more information about Raleigh’s Bicycle Program, contact:
Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator – www.raleighnc.gov