As drivers of vehicles, bicyclists have the same legal responsibilities as other drivers at traffic signals. Many traffic signals use sensors to detect vehicles before they will turn green for cross-streets or left-turn-only lanes. These “demand-actuated” traffic signals can increase the efficiency of traffic flow, but cause problems when they fail to detect a waiting vehicle. Drivers of small vehicles such as bicycles often have difficulty being detected by the sensors because the sensors are improperly designed or adjusted. This article describes how cyclists can maximize their probability … [Read more...]
Bicycling with Children
Cycling is a great way to spend active family time outside. Benefits Bicycling is a popular, fun, healthy, and useful activity that people can do their entire lives. Bicycling provides low-impact exercise of variable intensity that improves health, fitness, longevity, mental focus, emotional balance, and stress levels. Traveling by bicycle is often more enjoyable and affordable than other modes, and can be more convenient where automobile parking is limited. Teaching children to travel effectively by bicycle as they get older develops patience, discipline, self reliance and … [Read more...]
Basics of Bicycle Driving
Bicycle driving is much like driving a car, because the same basic rules of the road apply. (See actual NC statute wording here.) These rules can be expressed in priority order as follows: Yield to traffic already on the road (first come, first served) Drive on the right half of the roadway Yield before entering a more important roadway Yield before moving laterally or turning Destination positioning at intersections Speed positioning between intersections However, two-wheeled vehicles are narrower than cars. This compels bicycle operators to pay more attention to their … [Read more...]
Bicycling at Night
For good reason, North Carolina state law (§ 20-129.e) requires bicycles operated at night to be equipped with a white headlamp in front and rear reflector plus red lamp or reflective garment in back. Never ride at night without a headlamp and a rear lamp. Although most bicycles are sold with small “toy” reflectors, these are terribly inadequate for safe night cycling. The car-bike collision rate is several times higher at night than during daylight, but the vast majority of these crashes involve cyclists operating without proper nighttime equipment and can be easily prevented. Proper … [Read more...]
BikeWalk NC Policy on Police Education on Bicycling Issues
Law enforcement plays an essential role in supporting bicycle travel by reducing unsafe operation of motor vehicles and bicycles and by reminding the public about the legal rights and duties of road users. A police force that is more knowledgeable than the general public about best bicycling practices is more confident when dealing with bicycling issues, improves the environment for bicycling, and ultimately reduces bicyclist crash rates. Police who are uninformed, however, sometimes improperly stop bicyclists who are operating lawfully and safely. Police training programs that explain … [Read more...]
Safer Passing
BikeWalk NC has adopted a position on the subject of reducing unsafe behavior by motorists passing cyclists and related legislation. Summary: There is concern that motor vehicle drivers often fail to stay at adequate safe distance when passing bicyclists, especially when traveling at high speeds. In response, some states have changed passing laws to require greater passing distance, but such laws are seldom enforced, and police often express skepticism about the legality of crossing a solid yellow line to pass bicyclists on narrow roads. Furthermore, experiences in other states indicate that … [Read more...]
Bicycle Detection at Demand-Actuated Traffic Signals
Bicyclists are unnecessarily delayed and put at risk by demand-actuated traffic signals that will not turn green for bicyclists. Bicycles with metal rims (aluminum or steel) are easily detected by inductive loop detectors that have been properly designed and adjusted to do so. Appropriate loop sensor designs also detect motorcycles, cars, and trucks over the loop without detecting large vehicles in the adjacent lane. The State of California has standardized on traffic signal sensor designs and adjustment procedures to detect bicycles. Unfortunately, most communities in North Carolina do not … [Read more...]
Tour de Fat
NC Bike Summit Call for Proposals
The call for proposals is now open for the third annual NC Bike Summit which will be hosted in Greensboro, North Carolina October 9-12, 2014. The mission of the NC Bike Summit is to: foster collaboration between North Carolina’s various bicycle movements, efforts, and endeavors; educate local government staff, bicycle advocates, and policy leaders; promote cycling as a valid form of transportation and as an economic driver; and highlight North Carolina’s dedication toward becoming a premier bicycle friendly state. This year’s theme – Pedal Forward – is meant to inspire presenters to be … [Read more...]
Cyclists Needed for Rumble Strip Study
A request for volunteers in western NC (Almond area) to help with an ITRE rumble strip study: We are seeking volunteer bicyclists for a research project this March! The Institute for Transportation Research and Education is conducting a study to evaluate how variations in gaps between rumble strips* affect a bicyclist’s ability to cross them when riding on roads with steep downhill grades. If you participate in this study, you will help us test different options for gap-spacing between rumble strips by riding your bicycle through a designated test area in the mountains of western North … [Read more...]