Is it legal for SC drivers to pass bikes on the road? Here’s what state law says

Share the road is the message the South Carolina Department of Transportation and bicycle enthusiasts everywhere proclaim.

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After all, the law says bicyclists have as much right to travel the roads as people driving cars.

But does that mean you’ve got to lollygag behind a bike going slower than you want to? Nope. The law also says you can pass a bicycle.

But there are rules about it, because biking on South Carolina roads can be dangerous. That’s one reason the state has adopted a safety plan for bicyclists and pedestrians.

The Department of Transportation says 109 bicycle fatal crashes occurred during its five-year study period from 2015 to 2019. The majority, regardless of whether it was in an urban area or rural, involved a bicyclist struck while being passed by a motor vehicle.

The department found more than half of all bicycle crashes occur in urban and suburban areas in South Carolina. The three most dangerous places are in Charleston County — Calhoun Street from Courtenay Drive to Meeting Street, King Street from Carolina Street to George Street and Meeting Street from Line Street to Society Street.

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But two locations in Richland County rank 8th and 9th — Harden Street from Gervais Street to Blossom Street and Blossom Street from Lincoln Street to Saluda.

Driving safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers these safety tips for drivers.

• Always be on the lookout because they are difficult to see. These characteristics make them more vulnerable when riding on the road.
• Yield to bicyclists as you would motorists and do not underestimate their speed.
• In parking lots, at stop signs, when backing up, or when parking, search your surroundings for other vehicles, including bicycles.
• Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist approaching from the right rear.
• Obey the speed limit, reduce speed for road conditions and drive defensively to avoid a crash with a cyclist.
• Give cyclists room. Do not pass too closely. Pass bicyclists as you would any other vehicle—when it’s safe to move over into an adjacent lane.
• Do not cross double yellow lines to pass.

Bicycle safety

says, “Bicyclists should remember, when you are riding a bicycle, you have the same duties and privileges of a motor vehicle when on a public roadway. Ride with the flow of traffic and obey all traffic laws.”

• Wearing retro-reflective clothing to help increase your chances of being seen.
• Here’s what the South Carolina Code of Laws says about bicycles and motor vehicles.
• Maintain a safe operating distance from the bicyclist (SC Code Sec. 56-5-3435)
• Refrain from harassing or throwing objects at the bicyclist. (SC Code Sec. 56-5-3445)
• Ride as a vehicle, ride with traffic, and obey all traffic signs.
• Ride as far to the right as practical.
• If a bike lane is present, stay in the bike lane unless your destination lies in a different direction.
• If you are riding in a group, do not ride more than two side-by-side.
• If you are riding your bike after dark, use lights and reflectors to help increase your chances of being seen by motorists.

For more information on laws pertaining to bicyclists, please visit Code of Laws – Title 56 – Chapter 5 – Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways, Article 27.

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