BikeWalkNC

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Survey of Group Ride Leadership and Organization Practices

Do you organize or lead open-road group bicycling rides in North Carolina? If so, we invite you to participate in our group ride leadership survey. BikeWalk NC is collecting input from the bicycling community on successful practices for organizing and leading group rides. This information will help inform our development of educational materials to assist new ride organizers and leaders with conducting safe and enjoyable group rides. The survey should take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete. Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SDHT66H For questions about the survey, please … [Read more...]

Why Bicyclists Ride Like they Do: A Quick Guide for Curious Motorists

Summary Especially at high speeds, motorists focus most of their attention down the middle of the roadway, not along roadway edges. Bicyclists ride double file and in the middle of the lane to be more visible to motorists. Bicyclists are legally permitted to use the full travel lane - it’s in the NC Driver Handbook (see Chapter 6). Motorists should Change Lanes to Pass Bicyclists - there is rarely enough room to pass within the same lane. Bicyclists avoid bike lanes that are unsafe - too narrow, filled with debris, near parked cars - or not going in the direction they wish to … [Read more...]

Why Cyclists Ride Two Abreast

Group rides are extremely popular among recreational and competitive cyclists. Although social interaction is a major incentive to ride in groups, so is safety. One technique cycling groups use to reduce the risk of collisions is riding double file, particularly in narrow lanes and when approaching intersections. This article discusses how riding double file can deter common crash types and what group cyclists should consider when choosing their position on the roadway. Acting Visibly and Predictably When cyclists operate in a disciplined, cooperative manner, they pose less danger to other … [Read more...]

Preparation for Traffic Bicycling Class

This email includes important information to help you prepare for the Traffic Bicycling for Transportation Professionals class. For the class you will need your own bicycle in good working order a helmet a water bottle a bike lock clothing comfortable for bicycling Please read through the class textbook before class. The textbook for the class can be downloaded from this link. It is highly recommended that you at least read pages 4-11 of the textbook before class. We will not have time to discuss those topics in detail during class but they are important for being prepared … [Read more...]

October 9 Traffic Bicycling for Transportation Professionals Class

The next Traffic Bicycling for Transportation Professionals class is being offered as an optional NC Bike Summit workshop at UNCG on the day before the Summit. Registration for the class is made through the NC Bike Summit registration site at https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1579576 Traffic Bicycling for Transportation Professionals An All-Day Intensive Workshop Thursday October 9, 2014 8am-5:30pm Session Summary Oriented toward transportation engineers, planners, and police, but open to all adults, this on-bike training course presents an evidence-based concept of … [Read more...]

Autonomous Driving and Collision Avoidance Technology

Implications for Bicyclists and Pedestrians Will autonomous cars and automatic braking systems live up to their promise to improve public safety? Or will a rush to market flawed technology create greater peril for pedestrians and bicyclists? by Steven Goodridge, Ph.D. As I pedaled my bike along the road, Mercedes driver Farhan Ghanty approached me from behind at 45 mph, engaged the self-drive function of the E-Class luxury car, and took his hands off the wheel. It was December 4, 2017; BikeWalk NC Director Lisa Riegel and I were attending an autonomous vehicle demonstration held … [Read more...]

Home Page Content

BikeWalk NC is the statewide advocacy organization for bicyclists and pedestrians. We work through education, advocacy and promotion to make it safer and more accessible to walk and bike for transportation, recreation, and health. Walkable, bicycle-friendly communities are more equitable and economically vibrant. Our stakeholders help identify issues and provide input to solutions as we work with elected officials, government agencies and other nonprofit organizations to increase access to and safety of our sidewalks, cross walks, greenways, trails, bike lanes, bike accommodations, and … [Read more...]

Historical Basis of Road Rights for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

Advocates for motoring sometimes call for elimination of bicyclists or pedestrians from roadways, or for increased regulatory burdens to be placed on bicyclists (ostensibly to equal the expense of motoring regulations). Their argument often begins with the motoring-centric assumption that roads are for cars, and that because motoring on roadways is regulated as a privilege, then any use of roadways is also a privilege, and not a true right.  Historically and legally speaking, however, this claim is inaccurate. Recognition of an individual’s basic right to travel on shared roads dates back … [Read more...]

Ann Groninger on the Importance of UM/UIM Coverage

Ann Groninger of Bike Law North Carolina provides her insights into the value of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for bicyclists. PLEASE DO THIS RIGHT NOW – 100% MUST HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BICYCLISTS Guest Post by Ann Groninger For at least the past ten years, in group talks, blogs and social media posts, I have been talking about uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage for North Carolina bicyclists. Recently Bike Law published this very well laid out article written by Bike Law’s Maine attorney, again urging all bicyclists to increase UM and UIM coverage: … [Read more...]

NCDOT’s Weekly Video Promotes Bicycle Safety!

Wow, we are so excited that NCDOT in their NC Transportation Now weekly video promotes bicycle and pedestrian safety for May - Bike Month.  Thanks Deputy Secretary Mike Charbonneau!  We are so excited because they took footage from our volunteers working on additional safety videos to show: bicyclists riding two-abreast (which makes bicyclist more visible and thus is safer much of the time and easier to pass when in group formation) that all road users should share the road, avoid distractions, and that we all take a role in being safe that vehicles must yield to pedestrians Most … [Read more...]