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North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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Bike Safety

Excellent suggestions for riding in and with traffic - courtesy of the City of Raleigh Bicycling ProgramAs the summer starts to wind down in preparation for the fall, the days have been more and more pleasant for recreational activities outside. One family favorite is bicycling, but what is important to remember about bike safety?

N.C. Biking Laws

North Carolina traffic laws require bicyclists to:

  • Ride on the right in the same direction as other traffic.
  • Obey all traffic signs and signals (but maybe not this closely).
    Funny picture of a cyclists mocking an upside-down directional sign.
  • Use hand signals to communicate intended movements.
    diagram of propper hand signals
  • Equip bicycles with a front lamp visible from 300 feet and a rear reflector visible from a distance of 200 feet when riding at night.
  • Wear a bicycle helmet on public roads, public paths and public rights-of-way if the bicyclist is under 16 years old.
  • Secure child passengers in a child seat or bicycle trailer if the child weighs less than 40 pounds or is less than 40 inches tall.

Make sure you lock up your bike securely in a high traffic area so no one steals it. Buying an expensive lock is worth the investment since all it takes is a wire cutter to cut the cheap ones, and your bike can be gone in seconds!

Check out the statewide bicycling maps by going to: http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/mappubs/bikemaps/.

For additional safety information, go to the DOT link at: http://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/safetyeducation/.

Check out the City of Raleigh's Bicycle Program webpage and download a map of Raleigh area bike trails and marked road routes: http://www.raleighnc.gov/government/content/
PWksTranServices/Articles/BicycleProgram.html.

Share the Road!
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DEQ is the primary environment agency and model for sustainable actions of all North Carolina government agencies.

DEQ Sustainability Mission

To inspire a culture of sustainability within DEQ by promoting environmentally responsible actions.

 
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