Programs

 

 

Many bicycle lanes in Charlotte appear to be disconnected and don’t go anywhere. Why is this?<div class="ExternalClassDAB9740C0CF341A385A467BFD48FC92C"><p>​Bicycle lanes are typically provided as components of other processes such as street construction or street resurfacing.  Both of these processes have strict limits to the project length.  Resurfacing may involve only a short section of a given street in a year, and even that is usually directly related to the pavement condition along each section of the street.  Some sections may not be resurfaced until years following the resurfacing of a previous section.   Combining bicycle lane striping with street construction and resurfacing is cost efficient, but it does result in bike lanes being scattered and disjointed until enough time has passed that a connected network begins to form.​</p></div>
When riding my bicycle, shouldn’t I ride facing traffic so I can see the cars coming at me?<div class="ExternalClass7BE3BF01275E42029E741540810AE0D9"><p>No.  Riding in the lane facing traffic is not only illegal, it is also dangerous.  Motorists are trained to expect traffic to come from certain directions.  Bicyclists riding facing traffic place themselves in a location where motorists are not trained to expect or look for traffic.  For example, a motorist exiting a driveway to turn right is typically looking over his left shoulder for a break in the traffic, and is likely not accustomed to looking for oncoming traffic in the wrong lane to his right.  This could result in the motorist striking the oncoming bicyclist riding on the wrong side of the road. ​​</p></div>
Is it legal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk?<div class="ExternalClass6A439E87AF424501A5A2A5987D2AD46A"><p>​North Carolina leaves that up to each individual community to decide.  Some towns in the state do not permit sidewalk riding, while others do.  In Charlotte, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is legal except for streets within the Congested Business District, which is primarily within the area of Center City (however a provision in the city code exempts police from this restriction.)  Section 14-251 of the City Code identifies those streets which sidewalk riding is prohibited.   While it may be legal to ride on most sidewalks, anyone doing so should be aware of some of the associated risks such as cars entering and leaving driveways, tree roots, vegetation blocking visibility, etc.  They should also be cognizant of and courteous to pedestrians.​</p></div>
I don’t like riding my bike in the road with cars and prefer to ride on the greenway. Will the City be expanding the greenway network?<div class="ExternalClassC5059E1AC205484A87359303B26A6DC7"><div><p>​Historically, greenways have been the responsibility of Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, not the City of Charlotte.  However, the City is becoming more of a partner with greenway type facilities.  A major project is the <a title="Cross Charlotte Trail" href="/charlottefuture/CIP/Pages/CrossCharlotteTrail.aspx">Cross Charlotte Trail</a> (XCLT), which will ultimately be a greenway type experience from Pineville to the Cabarrus County line.  ​</p></div></div>
How can I become more involved with bicycling in Charlotte?<div class="ExternalClass3E48A3A9B18F4E74B0459A153D1446F5"><p>​There are a number of ways to become more actively involved with bicycling. There are numerous groups actively engaged in promoting bicycling in Charlotte, including bike clubs, health related groups and groups with an interest in sustainable transportation.  One may seek an appointment to the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC).  The BAC is composed of eleven members appointed by the Charlotte City Council, the Mayor of Charlotte and the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.  The role of the BAC is to review bicycle plans and make recommendations to further improve the local bicycle environment.​</p></div>