Diversity in Cycling | Finding your Bike Community Webinar
If finding your bike community means more than just identifying bike riders who live in the same town, the Diversity in Cycling: Finding Your Bike Community webinar is for you! The one-hour webinar held on October 14th, 2021, helps individuals identify cycling communities in terms of individuals they connect with - whether by race, gender, age, experience level, type of riding, or other community characteristics that create a more comfortable environment for a bike ride with confidence. The featured presenters are Itza Salazar from Triangle Bikeworks; Yevette Trotman with Black Girls Do Bike; and Debra Franklin, BikeWalkNC Board member, bus operator, and bike mechanic. Links and resources mentioned throughout the webinar and mentioned in chat can be found HERE.
NC Biking Rules of the Road
In North Carolina, bicyclists have the same rights and duties as motorists and are subject to traffic vehicle laws. Some laws changed in 2016. For a complete list of NC bike laws, visit ncdot.gov/bikeped/lawspolicies.
Follow these Rules of the Road to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Información en Español.
- Ride predictably and defensively.
- Riding on sidewalks is dangerous. Know when and how.
- Follow ALL traffic laws – bicycles are vehicles in North Carolina.
- Always ride in the same direction as traffic and as far to the right as practicable.
- Give an audible warning to pedestrians when approaching from behind.
- Indicate your turns by pointing left or right.
- Scan behind you before changing lanes.
- Do not filter up by stopped cars at intersections.
- Avoid swerving between parked cars.
- Make eye contact with motorists, especially at intersections and driveways.
- Be safe, be visible.
- Don’t wear headphones while riding.
- Wear a properly fitted helmet and replace after any impact or crash.
- Find a well-fitted bike.
- Wear brightly colored or reflective clothing.
- Use hand signals for turning:
Also, North Carolina law requires children under age 16 to wear a helmet and for bicyclists at night to have a white front headlight, a rear reflector and a red rear light or reflective clothing visible from 300 feet.
Changes were made to NC's bike laws in July 2016:
- Drivers can pass bicycles in no-passing zones if the motorist gives a berth of at least 4 feet and if the cyclist is not making a left turn.
- Cyclists must have a front and rear light – or wear a reflective vest or clothing that is visible from at least 300 feet to the rear.
- Clarified hand signals.
- Stiffer penalties for aggressive drivers.