Bicycle and Motorist Etiquette

Under state law, bicycles are considered vehicles. 

North Carolina state law states that bicyclists must:

• Ride on the right in the same direction of traffic and as far to the right as is safe and practicable.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Use hand signals to communicated intended movements, such as turns or stops. 
• Use a front lamp and rear reflector at night (or wear reflective clothing visible from 300 feet).

Sidewalks: 

The Black Mountain Code of Ordinances permits bicycles to  be ridden on sidewalks, except for in the Central Business District. 

NCDOT's "Keys for Motorists"

• Motorists must respect bicyclists' space when they are present in the roadway.
• Motorists must always look for the presence of other roadway users and slow down when:
  • traveling near bicycle lanes
  • approaching a turn
  • at an intersection
  • navigating driveways and parking lots
• Motorists are permitted to cross solid yellow lines to pass cyclists, and should slow down while doing so. 

North Carolina state law also requires that:

• Bicyclists under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet on public roadways.
• All child passengers under 40 pounds or 40 inches must be seated and secured in a child seat or bicycle trailer. 
• Bicyclists being passed by a motor vehicle or another bicyclist should remain as fart to the right as practicable. 
• Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way before entering or crossing any main-traveled or through highway if the roadway they are on i posted with a "yield right-of-way" sign. 

Bicycle Etiquette

• Check traffic behind you when changing lanes or merging, just as drivers do.
• Stay out of the blind spot of drivers at intersections and other places where a driver could turn right.
• Wear brighter, reflective clothing to make you more visible during dark or low light conditions.