I am by no means a cycling expert. In fact, I still consider myself very much a beginner. But in the short time I’ve spent chatting with people about cycling, I’ve noticed some misconceptions about the rules of the road.
I told Amy I wanted to write a blog post and she mentioned that her husband, Scott, is planning on giving a talk about cycling laws at Tailwind, the new bike shop in Fort Mill. Scott is a state trooper and a cyclist so I very much look forward to hearing him talk! I will post on here when the talk will be when it’s decided.
In the meantime, NPR held a segment yesterday about cycling in urban settings, and I listened closely. Check it out here if you missed it.
Cycling laws you may not be aware of:
= A bicycle is just like a vehicle. Bottom line. A cyclist has the same rights to be on the road that the motor vehicle driver does. In fact, some cycling advocates suggest taking up the entire lane so as to not be run off the road by a car. That is perfectly legal to do. Of course, it would likely anger drivers so it’s not necessarily the best thing to do. But if you’re in a car and you have to wait for traffic to clear in order to pass the cyclist who is kindly riding on the right side of the road or in the shoulder, keep in mind they have just as much right to be there as you do.
= Cyclists cannot ride on the sidewalks. Sidewalks are for pedestrians. If someone was cycling at a decent speed on a sidewalk, he/she could really injure a pedestrian and therefore should not be doing that.
= It is legal to ride two abreast on the road. Some cyclists choose to do this simply to keep safety first – making certain the road is entirely clear before a car goes around them. The more room a cyclist takes up, the more they “force” a driver to respect the bike as its own vehicle. As mentioned above, this could anger motorists. I’ve never ridden two abreast when there’s other traffic on the road, but I can see how it would feel much safer to do so.
= Helmets are only required for cyclists age 15 and younger in North Carolina. There is no law for bicycle helmets in South Carolina. I don’t know any cyclist who rides without a helmet, though – protect that head!
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Bicycling Magazine released a list of the Top 50 cities in the US for cycling. Of course, Charlotte was not on the list.
In fact, as I write this I am preparing for my first group ride tonight. It’s the Annual Ride of Silence around the booty loop, and it’s in honor/memory of cyclists who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roads.
Whether you cycle or drive, these laws can be very helpful to be aware of. I feel so vulnerable when I’m out there on the roads. It’s why I rarely cycle alone. I wish I felt safer doing it; I would be a cycling fool! You think I run all the time now? Imagine riding my bike from my house to Uptown Charlotte, just for fun. Or going over to my brother’s house in Fort Mill. It’s only 10 miles – a short commute. I would love to do it. But it terrifies me.
Jessica said something to me recently about the fear – “It’s all about time in the saddle. The more you’re out there, the better you’ll feel.” And I keep that in mind every time I get on the bike. I know I’ll get more comfortable. But I need drivers out there to do their part, too.
Comments
17 responses to “Going down this road is scarier than it has to be”
Thanks for the information. I did not know all of the cycling things 🙂
.-= Staci´s last blog .." Not Me" Monday and Missing Running 🙁 =-.
There are these couple of Mormon missionaries in my neighborhood who need to read this article. They’re young guys – maybe 20. I have told the pair of them no less than 5 times (as they have nearly run me over) that it’s illegal and dangerous for them to be riding their bikes on the sidewalk. The first 2 times, I was polite. After that, it really started pissing me off.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..I’m just drawn that way =-.
Yeah on the rules of the road, nothing raises my ire like someone riding their bike on the wrong side of the road. That’s a wonderful way to get yourself killed. Personally, if I’m gonna get run over, I’d prefer it to be from behind anyway.
I agree with the time in the saddle thing. I used to ride all over RH when I was younger, had no fear. Even rode up and down Hwy 49 a few times, before they expanded it. Not something I would recommend to a sane person. You’ll get used to it, you’ll also get used to the asshats in cars that think you shouldn’t be there. Defensive and Offensive driving applies to bikes too. So do creative hand signals…
.-= Wes´s last blog ..C25k: Week 4, Day 1 redux =-.
I’m with you on this one. Since I started my training program for “The Trip of a Lifetime” I’ve been so much more conscious about cycling laws. Sadly, my hubby is one of those “angry motorists” so I’ve heard his comments when he passes cyclists on the road. I see both sides…
On the one hand, there are some roads around where we live that are fun, amazing roads with views that you’d WANT to see on a bicycle… but they’re curvy and dangerous, especially when cars are ticked off that you’re there and passing you at mach speed.
Then we also have some really great multisport trails in the area (like the W&OD that I’ve already told you about). Many people (angry motorists) don’t understand why cyclists don’t take the W&OD when it’s available and there’s a road parallel to it. I know why now… because it’s a pain to ride 2mph behind a huge group of people that don’t care you’re dinging your bell or hollering “ON YOUR LEFT!!” and don’t want to get out of the way because cyclists are SUPPOSED to yield to pedestrians on the trail… that’s enough to make me head to the road too.
And then there’s the whole issue of helmets. I totally don’t understand why someone would not want to wear one… or why there isn’t a law saying you HAVE to wear one. After all, many of the states are requiring MOTORcyclists to wear them!! Motorcyclists ride on the same road as cyclists. My hubby and my father are both “anti-helmet” people, and my mother dragged her feet for weeks till I forced her to buy one… citing that I refused to train with her until she had one because I didn’t want to deal with the trauma of her head splattered on the pavement in front of me if she wrecked badly while we were out. No amount of talk will convince these men in my life that it’s MORE cool to WEAR a helmet than not.
I can’t wait to hear your follow up on Scott’s talk!
.-= Whitney´s last blog ..16.6 and dropping! =-.
Unless it’s changed in SC in the past few years, you’re not required to ride a helmet on a motorcycle either, which is beyond stupid. Of course these are the same people that wear flip-flops, no shirt or jacket and athletic shorts on their motorcycles so they’re just asking for it anyway.
.-= Wes´s last blog ..C25k: Week 4, Day 1 redux =-.
Good post. It is amazing how little awareness there is out there. I never knew that we couldn’t ride on the sidewalks until I took the liberty to look into the cycling laws. I think if motorists understood our position, perhaps they would be just a little patient in passing. Or if they are in that much of a hurry every time they hit the road, maybe they would support tax dollars to provide bike lanes on more roads. Unfortunately this is an area in which the Charlotte Metro area is FAR behind. In Fort Collins, CO, you can traverse the entire city in a bike lane, many of which are completely separate from the roadway. And in Portland, OR they have even painted the entire bike lane bright blue to make it more obvious! Hint, hint, Charlotte…
Bravo, Kevin… I’d go for more bike lanes as well! I just got an email today saying that the new bike lanes in Washington, DC are available now on Pennsylvania Ave. Thank goodness! Hopefully it won’t stop there.
I never had my bike in college, but now I’m wishing I had. There were bike lanes all over William & Mary!! Now it’s down to taking back streets and praying that there won’t be any crazy aggressive drivers out there.
.-= Whitney´s last blog ..16.6 and dropping! =-.
I am anti-helmet on my motorcycle and bicycle…I now wear one on my motorcycle because of my wife’s insistence. As far as a law, haven’t we had enough freedoms taken away…let me kill myself if I want same with cigarettes (I don’t smoke but let them be). Now here is the part of the comment that will really seem like I am nuts. If I ride on the road on my bicycle I wear my headphones so I can’t hear that angry person behind me. I am in my own world. My thinking on that is there really isn’t anywhere for me to go to get out of the way and if I am going to be hit I don’t want to hear it coming. If you are going to ride…ride in pairs or ride a motorcycle. I am game for a ride and if you said I have to wear a helmet that’s not a deal breaker but don’t ask me to remove my headphones.
.-= Chris (or @DeNifty)´s last blog ..Why I didn’t get back to work Monday =-.
Here’s a link for road riding tips/rules SC cyclists to view, posted on the site of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition (of which I am a member): http://www.pccsc.net/sharetheroad.php.
Many of these are based on our laws, which can be found here: http://www.scdot.org/getting/pdfs/bike_laws.pdf
And, to Chris and his headphones: it is your life, after all, so do what you want. I would rather not hear it if the car approaching me from behind is going to plow me down and kill me, either. The problem I have with wearing headphones (as both a motorist AND a cyclist) is this: it seems really selfish. Sure, you want to be in your own little world on the bike, but the roads out there belong to everyone. If you don’t hear other cyclists as they try to pass you and you happen to make a move while in your “own little world” that could send them into harm’s way, that sucks. And if you’re just ignoring the fact that there are motorists behind you on the road who might be waiting for your signal that it’s okay to pass (we do that a lot in our groups here in SC), and the motorist gets agitated, the likelihood that that motorist will take their aggression out on the next cyclist they come across is increased. So while you think you might be doing yourself a favor by not hearing whatever danger might be coming your way, you also might consider that you’re putting other riders in danger in the process. Don’t take this as my slamming you for your habit; just putting something out there for you to think about.
Hey Jessica not a problem I totally get your point. I embellish a lot…I can hear some. Your going to think I am crazy but I am actually a worse rider if I take off the headphones…I am like a horse that gets spooked when I hear a car coming. I actually look like I just learned how to ride the day before cause I am so scared I will be hit. I do normally ride the line on the far right which I wish more cyclist would do (as a driver). I ride the sidewalks when nobody is on them so drivers will have to go out of their way to hit me. I have just had to many close calls on my bike some perhaps were my fault but most just people that don’t pay attention.
.-= Chris (or @DeNifty)´s last blog ..Why I didn’t get back to work Monday =-.
Chris, not to offend whatsoever, but if you are that uncomfortable on the bike, perhaps you should get your exercise on a trainer or stay on the trails. I’d have to agree with Jessica and take the point of view that just because it makes you feel better doesn’t mean it is for the great good. Or for your own good either!
If you were to ever witness someone fall off of their bike, you would realize that your head is extremely susceptible to hitting the ground. It doesn’t have to be a car that hits you; I have had many close calls with a deer, potholes, gravel, etc. The point is there are many things that can make you fall out there.
Accept the risk and the responsibility for your life and that of others and you’re cool in my book.
I think Jessica’s main thing is the headphones(maybe I am wrong) and she is right. You are right too. The helmet thing well I am buying one tonight so I don’t look like the odd one when I come ride with you guys tonight. I have seen enough on the fire department to know that a helmet is mainly a fashion accessory that makes everyone feel better and good protection when your stunting but pointless compared to a car. When it is your time…well it is your time. Fast forward 10+ years in the future and cyclist will think cyclist that don’t wear knee, elbow, and spinal protection are crazy for not protecting themselves.
.-= Chris (or @DeNifty)´s last blog ..Why I didn’t get back to work Monday =-.
I have no problem sharing the road with bicycles, but I think that all road regulations should be followed by all vehicles.
That means if the speed limit is 50mph, you need to pedal faster. If I can get cited for going too slow because I was giving ample space to the cyclist in front of me…that’s messed up.
It would be so much easier if the DOT just made it a requirement to have mandatory wide shoulders and/or bike lanes on all roads. *THAT* might even get me on a bike.
.-= Elwood´s last blog ..Cinematic Blues – May 17, 2010 =-.
@Kev and @Chris — yep, the headphones are my thing. I can’t very well preach to folks about wearing helmets because while I know it’s dangerous to ride without one, well, there aren’t laws about it… ride at your own risk. 🙂 Many I know have crashed on several occasions (and I’ve even crashed numerous times on both my mountain and road bikes) where concussions or worse could have ensued without the helmet. And while there are certainly no laws against headphones, it’s just really an added distraction.
And I hate to hear about anyone having close calls. Motorists, though there have been some that have stopped to let groups cross the road or will motion me through, generally don’t seem to have much regard for cyclists other than being annoyed by them. It’s frustrating. I just hope that being cautious will continue to keep me alive.
@Chris – so nice to meet you last night! We were happy to have you along for the ride! And glad you got a helmet! 🙂
@Elwood – Not sure of your location, but as far as I know, around here in the Carolinas, the only place you would get cited for going to slow is on a controlled access highway (i.e. interstate or state highway with exit/on ramps) and cyclists are not allowed on those roads. And I agree that it should be a requirement for all new roads to include a bike lane or wide shoulder at the very least! Oh and sidewalks would be nice too for us runners!
I found this on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16AO0_08r3o I was searching for something else of course and this happened to be in the related links. This is really what the US needs to do with bike paths and education to our youth(adults too).
.-= Chris (or @DeNifty)´s last blog ..Why I didn’t get back to work Monday =-.
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