Orange County NC Website
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Orange County Cares about the safety of all of its road users. <br />Please follow these rules and best practices to keep everyone safe on our roads. <br />CYCLISTS <br />Ride Predictably <br />• Bicycles are vehicles in NC and shouldoperate as vehicles <br />• )ollow ALL traϫc laws <br />• Always ride in the same direction as traϫc <br />• Ride as far to the right as is practicable (oftendebris or broken pavement, preparing to changelanes, or the need for more conspicuity, mayrequire you to ride in the center of the lane,which is allowed) <br />• Scan behind you before changing lanes <br />• Signal when turning <br />• Do not swerve between parked cars <br />• Do not ϧlter up beside stopped cars atintersections <br />• Make eye contact with motorists, especiallyat intersections & driveways <br />• Give an audible warning to pedestrianswhen approaching from behind <br />• Pull over for emergency vehicles with sirens and <br />lights on <br />Be Safe, Be Visible <br />• Don’t wear headphones while riding <br />• Wear a properly ϧtting helmet (NC law requiresthose under 16 to wear a helmet) <br />• When riding at night, NC law requires cycliststo have a white front headlight, a rear reϩector,AND a red rear light or reϩective clothing <br />MOTORISTS <br />Watch for Bicycles <br />In NC, bicyclists have the same rights & duties as a motorist & are subMect to traϫc vehicle laws Some laws for motorists changed in 16 )or more info visit httpswwwncdotgovdivisions bikepedPagesbikepedlawsasp[ <br />• Always Drive Cautiously <br />• Scan for cyclists in traϫc & at intersections <br />• Look for cyclists before opening your car door <br />• Do not te[t while driving or drive distracted <br />• Cyclists are vehicles & should be givenappropriate right of way <br />• Cyclists may use the entire traϫc lane, andare not required to ride single ϧle <br />Pass with Care <br />• Reduce speed when encountering cyclists <br />• Give cyclists e[tra trailing & passing roomin potentially dangerous situations <br />• Drivers may legally cross a double yellow lineto pass a cyclist provided they have clear sightdistance and it is safe to do so <br />• Motorists passing bikes must provide at least4 feet between their vehicle & the bicyclist, orthey must completely change lanes to pass <br />• Do not blast your horn at or near cyclists <br />• Drivers causing cyclists to leave their travel lane& causing a crash or inMury can be ϧned up to  <br />4 feet <br />or <br />change <br />lanes <br />33