Bike Regulations

In South Carolina, a bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle.  Bicyclists using a public roadway are considered operators of motor vehicles and are responsible for observing traffic laws.

State law also has certain obligations for cyclists to follow.  Some of these include: 

•  A cyclist riding in the roadway shall not ride more than two side by side, other than on designated bike lanes or paths. 
• A cyclist shall not carry any object that prevents him from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.
• A cyclist riding at night must have a light emitting white light visible from a distance of 500 feet on the front and a red reflector visible from 50 to 300 feet at the rear.
• A cyclist may not hold on to a vehicle on the roadway.
• A cyclist MUST STOP at stop signs, except in bicycle designated lanes.
• A cyclist shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable.
• If not in a designated bicycle lane/path, a cyclist must use hand directional signals.