NC Bike Laws

North Carolina Bicycle Laws

Bicycle safety is of the utmost importance to us at Hungry Town Tours. In North Carolina, the bicycle has the legal status of a vehicle. This means that bicyclists have full rights and responsibilities on the roadway and are subject to the regulations governing the operation of a motor vehicle.

North Carolina traffic laws require bicyclists to:

  • Ride on the right in the same direction as other traffic.
  • Obey all traffic signs and signals.
  • Use hand signals to communicate intended movements.
  • Equip bicycles with a front lamp visible from 300 feet and a rear reflector that is visible from 200 feet when riding at night.
  • Wear a bicycle helmet on public roads, public paths and public rights-of-way if the bicyclists are under 16 years old.
  • Secure child passengers in a child seat or bicycle trailer if under 40 pounds or 40 inches.

Know your hand signals…


A Guide to NC Bicycle & Pedestrian Laws