Bicycle Laws And Riding Safety

Bicycles are the main form of transportation for many students on our campus. It is your responsibility to know and abide by South Carolina and City of Charleston bicycle laws.

South Carolina Bicycle Laws

Bicyclists riding on the road have all of the rights and responsibilities of, and must abide by the same laws as, a person operating a motor vehicle.

When riding your bike, stay as near to the right side of the road as possible and exercise care when passing a standing or moving vehicle.
Ride no more than two abreast except on paths set aside exclusively for bicycle use. If a bike path is available next to the road, you must use the path.
When riding your bicycle, you must ride on a permanently installed seat and with your legs on both sides of the bike. Do not carry more people at one time than the number for which the bike is designed.
Clinging to a vehicle while riding a bicycle, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle is prohibited.
If carrying a package or article while riding your bike, you must be able to keep at least one hand on the handlebars.
If riding at night, your bicycle must have a lamp on the front that emits light visible from at least 500 feet. It must also be equipped with either a red reflector on the rear that is visible from 50 to 300 feet when directly in front of a car’s headlights or with a lamp that emits red light visible from at least 500 feet.
Your bike must be equipped with a bell or similar device audible from at least 100 feet (excluding sirens or whistles, which are prohibited).
Your bike must be equipped with a brake that makes the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

College Of Charleston Bicycle Operation And Parking

All bicycles used, stored, parked or operated on the College of Charleston campus must be registered with the Department of Public Safety. Proof of ownership may be required to register a bicycle. There is no charge for bicycle registration.
Bicycle registration stickers must be displayed on the front seat tube of the bicycle frame.
Bicycles must be parked, stored or left only in areas specifically designated by the presence of racks or other devices designed for bicycle parking or when designated by the posting of signs indicating the space as a bicycle parking area.
No bicycle shall be parked, stored or left so as to block or impede the normal flow of traffic on any highway, roadway, street, alley, sidewalk, mall, patio and parking area at the College. Nor shall any bicycle be parked, stored or left so as to interfere with or impede the normal movement of disabled persons, pedestrians or bicyclists upon ramps, stairways or curb cuts.
All bicycles operated on College property or property leased or controlled by the College are subject to the provisions of the South Carolina Code of Laws for violation of any such provisions, and the operator of any bicycle may be issued a traffic citation to appear in court and/or be subject to disciplinary action.
No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions. Maximum speed limit on main campus is 5 MPH. Maximum speed limits in any parking lot or parking area is 10 MPH.
Mopeds shall park in specifically designated areas or designated motorcycle spaces as established by the College and in accordance with the rules and regulations set for by the College’s Parking Services. Mopeds are prohibited from being parked at any bicycle rack or other device designated for bicycle parking.
Skateboarding is prohibited on all streets and most sidewalks in the City of Charleston. Skateboard operators should familiarize themselves with the City’s skateboard ordinance.

Bicycle Riding Rules And Safety

Wear a helmet.
Learn, use and obey traffic signals.
Ride with traffic, not against it.
If riding at night, use reflectors and lighting systems. Be visible!
Give pedestrians the right of way.
Ride defensively. Watch for cars and car doors opening into your path.
Don’t weave in and out of slow-moving or stopped traffic.
Slow down and look out for oncoming and turning cars at all intersections.
Sidewalks are for pedestrians, not bikers. You can be ticketed for riding on a sidewalk.