Bicycling in the Outer Banks

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Bicycling on the Outer Banks

For more information visit obxcycling.com

A special treat is in store for bicyclists who include northeastern North Carolina’s Dare County and its Outer Banks (OBX) on their interstate tour route or who just bring their bikes while on a seashore vacation. Bicycling here is like nowhere else. As rich salt marshes give way to pristine beaches, you will find the contentment and peace of mind you’ve been missing, right here on the Outer Banks.

Dare County is a great place to ride, bicycle-friendly and flat. The highest points in Dare County are bridges (we have four of them)! We have good multi-use paths and wide paved shoulders, especially in the Outer Banks area. On a warm spring day, nothing beats a leisurely bicycle tour of the Outer Banks. Why spend money on gas when you can hop on a bike and tour the Outer Banks via the many winding bike paths that border the beautiful and historic North Carolina shore? On the mainland, you can ride through miles and miles of rich farming country and wildlife preserves on main and side roads with little traffic to worry about. Cycling is one of the many fun things to do in Dare County.

    Bicycling is a very popular activity throughout all of the Outer Banks. With many bike paths and wide paved shoulders, you're sure to find an interest for the entire family, including children. For both leisure riders and serious cyclists, the Outer Banks provide a wonderful opportunity to explore the seashore, and beyond, on two wheels. There is almost always a wind, 5-15 mph, blowing in your face (whichever way you're going)! Remember, when the wind is from the east, it blows up some salt spray, so the bikes need a good bath after they leave the Outer Banks.

    The Outer Banks should be on every bicyclist's list of east coast rides. You can ride more than 100 miles from Corolla and Duck at the north end to Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke at the south end, with a relaxing 40 minute free ferry ride between Hatteras Village to Ocracoke to rest the legs. You'll see yellow "Bicycles - Share the Road" signs all through Dare County on US 158, US-64 and 264, and NC 12. We even have some official NCDOT-marked bicycle routes. There is almost always a wind, 5-15 mph, blowing in your face, whichever way you're going)! A quiet bike ride through the residential areas of the Outer Banks will show you a sample of why so many people have chosen to live at the beach.

    For leisure family riding, especially with children, multi-use (bike) paths are available in most of the towns and villages for slower-paced touring or for a relaxing afternoon ride. They are paved separate routes which wind along parallel to the highways or through wooded areas. Some of them connect you from town to town without having to brave the motor vehicle traffic. For faster and more experienced riders, there are many wide paved shoulders to provide separation between cyclists and motor vehicle traffic. Fast cyclists are cautioned about using the multi-purpose paths because of the presence of walkers, joggers, roller-bladers, and children on bicycles. The shoulders of the roads might be a better choice when the foot traffic is heavier than the road traffic. Be sure to ride on the right, not on the left.

    Summer is not the best time for on-highway cycling down here due to the high volume of tourist traffic. Our normal population is about 35,000 for the entire Outer Banks, but in the summer it is 350,000 -- tourists gawking at the sights, trying to figure out where they want to go, all with different ideas of the bicyclists' right to be anywhere near motor vehicle traffic. And RV drivers with their big rigs and lack of real big rig driving experience. So beware. Bicycles are not welcome on the sand of our shores; it’s just too soft and deep. They are forbidden during the summer season, but for practical reasons, don’t plan on doing any of this along the shorelines. There are too many people on the shores, playing, sunning, swimming.

    Go to outerbanks.org to find out everything you ever wanted to know about bicycling, swimming, camping, beaching, dining, sleeping, fun, etc, in Dare County and its famous Outer Banks.

MAPS AND INFORMATION

    As you come onto the Outer Banks from the north over the Wright Memorial Bridge into Kitty Hawk, just a mile toward the beach is our wonderful Visitor's
Center and Rest Stop; be sure to stop there and pick up tourist information. And visit the First Flight Monument. If you’re coming in from the west onto Roanoke Island, stop at the Visitor’s Center and Rest Stop. If you’re coming up the Outer Banks from the stop, there’s another Visitor’s Center and Rest Stop in Nags Head on NC-12, adjacent to its intersection with US-158 and US-64.

    Whatever you do, be sure to pick up a detailed map of the Outer Banks so you can find the various tourist attractions. You can get one in advance, along with other tourist information, from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau (252-473-2138). Then, when you arrive, stop at one of the several Outer Banks Visitors Centers and pick up a free copy of the official NCDOT Dare County Bicycle Map of the Outer Banks to work out your own cycling plans.

SHARE THE ROAD

    People from all over the country come to enjoy a fun and relaxing vacation in Dare County. Bicyclists in ever-increasing numbers are sharing our roadways with motorists, and it is important to remember safety and courtesy when sharing the road. A special safety problem here is the mix of bikers and motorists from many different cities and states with different rules, customs, and expectations. Because many of the bike-friendly routes and paths on the Outer Banks are also part of the state highway system, you will often find cyclists and drivers on the road together enjoying their vacations.

    When riding on the highways of Dare County and its Outer Banks, always remember that this is a busy tourist area. Folks from out of town will be driving around, looking first one way and then another, taking in the sights, but perhaps not watching for cyclists. Watch out for the large recreational vehicles; they might not behave the way you think they should or the way you're used to. People come here from all over the nation, all with different driving customs and attitudes, and with very different ideas of the proper relationship between bicycles and motor vehicles. They are looking in every direction other than at you; they may be either lost or sightseeing. One of those sights they might not see might is you on your bicycle! Watch for sand and debris on the bridge and highway shoulders. Some bike paths are narrow, so slow down and use caution when passing other bikers or walkers/joggers. Many motorists like to drive slowly in the left (inside) lane on NC-168 and US-158, causing other motorists to swerve into the right lane to pass; that's where you are! Better to wear bright clothing if you want to ride on the highways. And a helmet, of course!

    If you are planning a bike outing in Dare County, be it a casual loop around the Outer Banks or a vigorous trek over on the mainland, please remember to be cautious and vigilant. The warmer months bring more tourists to the area, and not everybody may mind the road as well as you. Ride defensively and watch for traffic, and also be aware of debris, walkers, runners, and Segway users on the paths.

    Be aware that the Outer Banks sun is bright and hot; wear plenty of sun screen, and drink more liquids than you might on a normal day back home.

THE FOUR FACES OF DARE COUNTY

    There are four distinct regions of Dare County, all separated from each other by water, and all ready and available for good bicycling. First, and most popular, is the North Outer Banks, from Duck at the north end, through Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills (where the Wright brothers first flew), and Nags Head to the Oregon Inlet Bridge 26 miles to the south. Second, continuing south from that bridge is Hatteras Island with it’s famous Hatteras Lighthouse, ending 45 miles later at its south end in the Hatteras Island ferry docks. Third, there is the large mainland portion, south and west of the Outer Banks, mostly government-owned wildlife preserve and military territory. Fourth, in between the mainland and the Outer Banks lies Roanoke Island where the first English explorers landed in 1584. Roanoke Island is the home to the Town of Manteo, the county seat. All four regions are separated from each other by Currituck Sound, Albemarle Sound, Roanoke Sound, Croatan Sound, and Pamlico Sound. We have a lot of water! If you like the beach, or want to fish, this is the place.

    The North Carolina Outer Banks lies along a 105-mile strip of sand, sea, surf, and sunshine that runs from Corolla (in Currituck County) at the north end to Ocracoke (in Hyde County) at the south end. The Outer Banks should be on every bicyclist's list of east coast rides. You may ride those 105 miles on your bicycle, from Corolla and Duck to Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke, with a relaxing 40 minute free ferry ride between Hatteras Village to Ocracoke Island to rest the legs. And you almostnever have to ride out in the motor vehicle traffic lanes!

OUTER BANKS ROADWAYS AND BIKEWAYS

    The roadways and bikeways of the Outer Banks, along its entire length, and extending west into the mainland, form the Outer Banks Bike Routes. Through the northern portions of the Outer Banks, there are actually two main motor vehicle travel routes, two of them north and south, the other one east and west. South of the North Outer Banks there’s only one route. Some alternate NCDOT Bicycle Route are included. They are:

        1.   U.S. Highway 158 (Croatan Highway, commonly referred to as "The Bypass"), runs from the Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk to South Nags Head in the North Outer Banks, and is marked with NCDOT bicycle "Share the Road" signs. The bridge has 2'-wide shoulders eastbound, and 6'-wide shoulders westbound. Once off the bridge, US-158 has a 4' marked paved shoulder on most of both sides, or a wide outside lane on the 5-lane sections; 50 mph speed limit. However, bicycling on the roadway of US-158 is not recommended at any time; there are several alternatives. The high-speed traffic on US-158 is often heavy (especially on Saturdays in the summer), there are portions where there are no wide paved shoulders, and there are many business entrance driveways. Traffic is bad enough for experienced, brave, and venturesome cyclists, and it's definitely not safe for children or novice adult cyclists.

        2.   NC 12 (Virginia Dare Trail or "The Beach Road"), marked in places with yellow bicycle "Share the Road" signs or green NCDOT Bicycle Route signs, is nicely paved from Corolla to South Nags Head, 2 lanes (with some three-lane portions at intersections), and with a 3-4' marked paved shoulder; 35 mph speed limit. This is the preferred north-south cycle route, especially for the faster cyclists. In the Kill Devil Hills portion of NC-12, most of the shoulders have been widened to 6 feet. In Kitty Hawk on NC-12, especially northbound, there is sand (sometimes a lot!) on the shoulders in many spots, forcing cyclists out into the motor vehicle traffic lanes (see below); it's much better southbound.   In Kill Devil Hills, most of NC-12 has 6-foot paved shoulders with little sand. In all of Nags Head, there are 4-foot paved shoulders on NC-12 plus there is a parallel 8-foot wide multi-use path for slower-paced leisure riding and families. Farther southward on NC-12 near the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Oregon Inlet Bridge, the shoulders are mostly narrow or even non-existent, until a point two miles south of the bridge. Beyond that point, there are 4-5' wide paved shoulders all the way south to the Hatteras Village ferry docks. There are plenty of motels, and eating and stopping places, along both US-158 and NC-12. There are many ocean accesses and rest stops along NC-12 between Southern Shores and south Nags Head. NC-DOT Bicycle Routes 1 and 3 run concurrently with portions of NC-12 in the North Outer Banks.

        3. US-64 and 264. These two highways run concurrently in Dare County from on the mainland through Roanoke Island to the ocean in Nags Head. On the mainland, they separate. US-64 runs straight west from Mann’s Harbor, along the north side of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge; US-264 runs south along the east side of the Refuge, through Stumpy Point to Englehard and then west toward Swan Quarter. NC-DOT Bicycle Route 2 (Mountains to Sea) runs concurrently with US-264.

    Neighborhood streets. We encourage residents and visitors to enjoy their leisure and casual family cycling along our quiet neighborhood streets and along the Wright Brothers Bikeway.

WRIGHT BROTHERS BIKEWAY

    The "Wright Brothers Bikeway" runs for 45 miles between Corolla in Currituck County at the north end of the Outer Banks and South Nags Head, and then continues on for another 60 miles or so to Ocracoke at the south end. The northern 45-mile portion of the Wright Brothers Bikeway consists of a combination of wide paved shoulders, separate community multi-use (bike) paths, and quiet neighborhood streets. In all cases, the separate paths are shared with pedestrians, and are recommended more for slow and intermediate speed leisure family riding. The Wright Brothers Bikeway is shown on the NC DOT Bicycle Map of the Outer Banks. Beginning at the north end, here is the Wright Brothers Bikeway:

        Currituck Beaches: In the Currituck County village of Corolla, there are many bike paths, winding through the village, some wide, some narrow. NC Highway 12 begins at the north end of Corolla, at the beach. Two miles south is Currituck Heritage Park, with the Whalehead Museum and the Currituck Light House. South of there is a combination of separate multi-use southbound paths paralleling NC-12 and 5' wide paved outside shoulders on NC-12 itself. Speed limit on NC-12 is 35 or 45 mph, depending on location. This continues southward into the Sanderling section of Duck, just past the Dare County line. Total length in Currituck County: 17 miles. Take a look at visitcurrituck.com/Attractions.cfm; all of these attractions are easily reached by bicycle.

        Duck: The 10' wide multi-purpose Duck Path, about 6 miles long, separate from and along the east side of NC-12, runs the entire length down the oceanside of the highway from Sanderling at the Currituck County line through downtown Duck into Southern Shores. Speed limit on NC-12 is 35 mph. The paved shoulders on NC-12 north and south of downtown Duck are narrow. Wide, paved, and busy 6-foot wide shoulders run alongside NC-12 through downtown Duck for a distance of about a mile. Rumble strips separate the motor vehicle traffic from the bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Share the shoulders with pedestrians (many of them); ride slowly. Southbound, at the north edge of downtown Duck, be sure to cross over from the Duck Path to ride on the right side through the main downtown, then cross back over onto the Duck Path and continue southward into the Town of Southern Shores. On the return northbound trip, stay to the right going through downtown Duck.

        Southern Shores: In Southern Shores, there is a 6' wide separate multi-purpose path which runs from Duck southward about four miles to the Southern Shores Town Hall at the US-158 intersection, then west for a mile past The Marketplace shopping center to the Kitty Hawk Elementary School, where it turns south into the Town of Kitty Hawk on The Woods Road. There are many quiet neighborhood streets in Southern Shores as well. Several popular routes are Sea Oats Trail, Hickory Trail, and Dogwood Trail, all of which are narrow with no paved shoulders at all, but usually with light and slow motor vehicle traffic.

        Kitty Hawk: There are several options.

        1. Oceanside Option. Fast cyclists can remain on NC-12 on the wide paved shoulders in Kitty Hawk, but watch out for sand on the shoulders, especially northbound. NC-12 (Virginia Dare Trail; “The Beach Road”) runs from the Southern Shores -- Kitty Hawk town line, southbound for three miles along the ocean front through Kitty Hawk, on into Kill Devil Hills. Shoulder width is nominally four feet, but varies from three feet to six feet. Concurrently, this is NCDOT Bicycle Route 3 for the northern two-thirds and Route 1 for the southern one-third. There is occasional road construction and repair going on, repairing the hurricane damage which frequently occurs during fall weather. This route is not highly recommended northbound through Kitty Hawk; the nominally 3' wide paved shoulders are often covered with slippery sand in the northbound lane, forcing the cyclists out onto the roadway into the traffic lane. Speed limit is 35 mph. There is a bicycle shop on Eckner Street near NC-12 at Mile Marker 3.

        2. Soundside Option. A better option for most cyclists is to take a more leisurely and safer route along the sound side. At the Elementary School's traffic light on US-158 and Dogwood Trail, NCDOT Bicycle Routes 1 and 3 head south on The Woods Road’s parallel 6' wide multi-purpose path through the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve for two miles to the stop sign on Kitty Hawk Road. Faster cyclists can ride on the 2' wide paved shoulder instead of the path. At Kitty Hawk Road, turn left and ride eastward along the south side of Kitty Hawk Road (speed limit is 35 mph). There are wide paved shoulders on Kitty Hawk Road, with rumble strips all the way. Go past the Kitty Hawk Police Station on your left, then take turn right (south) on Moore Shore Road (NCDOT Bicycle Routes 1 and 3). Ignore the "Dead End Road" sign. A hundred yards south you will find the "other" Wright Brothers Monument). At the south end of Moore Shore Road, continue onto the 10' wide Wright Brothers multi-use path. At the south end of the path, at the rest area, turn left up the hill to Windgrass Circle, turn right toward the sound on Tateway, and then curve around left onto Bay Drive into Kill Devil Hills.

        3. Modified Oceanside Route: At the intersection of Kitty Hawk Road and Moore Shore Road, continue eastward on Kitty Hawk Road (NCDOT Bicycle Route 3) past the Roman Catholic Church and across US-158 (Croatan Highway; “The Bypass”) to NC-12 (Virginia Dare Trail; “The Beach Road”). Turn right (south) on NC-12 (NCDOT Bicycle Route 3) at the Black Pelican Restaurant with it’s adjacent beach access and rest stop. The Beach Road has 3-4' wide paved shoulders which are sometimes sandy, especially on the ocean side; the Beach Road then leads southward into Kill Devil Hills.

        Neighborhood Spur: Consider a side route off from The Woods Road. Southbound, at the stop sign at Kitty Hawk Road, or earlier at Twiford Road, turn right (westward) along Kitty Hawk Road into Kitty Hawk Landing to ride on neighborhood streets. Note that Twiford Road and the western portion of Kitty Hawk Road do not have wide paved shoulders; speed limit is 35 mph. There is a multi-use path along Twiford Road and further east along Kitty Hawk Road to Kitty Hawk Landing.

        Lindbergh Street Option: For some easy leisure family riding, one can try Lindbergh Avenue in northern Kitty Hawk, which runs north and south between NC-12 and US-158. Lindbergh is a quiet neighborhood street nearly two miles long.

        US-158: Riding along US-158 is not recommended.

    Kill Devil Hills: There are two primary routes and two secondary routes available.

        Oceanside Route: Ride on the wide paved shoulders on NC-12 (The Beach Road) for it's entire length of six miles between Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. Shoulder width varies from 3-4 feet at the north end to six feet in the southern two-thirds. This is NCDOT Bicycle Route 3 for the northern two-thirds and Route 1 for the southern one-third. There is a rest stop about half-way at Ocean Bay Blvd, across from the Stop ‘N Shop. There is a bicycle shop just south of that intersection.

        Soundside Route: A quieter route is along the soundside streets, connecting at the north end of Bay Drive at Windgrass Circle in Kitty Hawk. Take Bay Drive south on NCDOT Bicycle Routes 1 and 3 along the sound front, veer left onto Canal Drive to the stop sign, then turn right onto West First Street to the end (continue south past the "No Outlet" sign). At the cul-de-sac, veer to the left onto the 10' wide multi-use path through the Wright Brothers Memorial grounds eastward along Ocean Bay Drive (Colington Road), crossing over to the other side of the road at the traffic light at Veteran's Memorial Drive, then continuing east to NC-12 (The Beach Road) at the Ocean Bay Beach Access and Rest Stop, then go south along the wide paved shoulders to the Nags Head town line, as described above, onto the Nags Head multi-use path. Speed limit on NC-12 is 35 mph. There is a bicycle shop just south of the Ocean Bay Beach Access and Rest Stop, across from the Stop 'N Shop.

        US-158: Riding along US-158 is not recommended.

        Colington Island: Ocean Bay Drive from the Wright Brothers Memorial west onto Colington Island is narrow and winding, with frequent fast motor vehicle traffic. This road is not recommended for cyclists at the present time.

        Centennial Park: For slower-paced fun and leisure riding with little children, take in the many separate paths around the Centennial Park which starts just south of the Wright Brothers Monument at the stop light on Colington Road, and works it way through the Centennial Park and Recreation Center grounds, just east of the First Flight school complex, between the schools and the Thomas Baum Senior Center. Of course, don't pass up the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. There is also much fine easy riding on the town's neighborhood streets just south of Centennial Park.

        Neighborhood Cycling. Try some north-south miles on Wrightsville Blvd or Memorial Blvd, between NC-12 and US-158, or some of the neighborhood streets west of US-158. There is a bicycle shop on Wrightsville Avenue, just a mile north of the Nags Head town line.

    Nags Head: The Nags Head multi-use path runs for seven miles along the ocean side of NC-12 (The Beach Road) from the Kill Devil Hills town line into south Nags Head where it then continues along NC-1243 (Old Oregon Inlet Rd) for another six miles to its end where it rejoins NC-12 just north of the Bodie Island Lighthouse. As an alternate to the path, both NC-12 and NC-1243 have 3-4' wide paved shoulders for faster cycling. Speed limit on NC-12 and Old Oregon Inlet Road is 35 mph.

        Neighborhood Cycling: Leisure family cycling can be found in the Village at Nags Head at Mile Post 14, along Wrightsville and Memorial Avenues, or in the residential areas west of US-158. A multi-use path is under construction along US-158 in north Nags Head for shopping convenience. Riding along US-158 is not recommended.

ROANOKE ISLAND ROADWAYS AND BIKEWAYS

    The Mountains to Sea NCDOT Bicycle Route 2 runs westbound on wide paved shoulders along US-64/264 from Nags Head across the Baum Bridge onto Roanoke Island. At the second traffic light past the bridge, cyclists can either (1) continue west on US-64/264 (Bypass) across the new Virginia Dare (Roanoke Sound) Bridge into Mann's Harbor and the Dare County mainland, or (2) can turn right on US-64 (Business) and NCDOT Mountains to Sea Bicycle Route 2 into Manteo and on through the Island and across the old Croatan Sound Bridge into Mann's Harbor, or (3) turn right on NC-345 south to Wanchese. There is good leisure cycling in and around the Town of Manteo on the many neighborhood streets; cycling on the sidewalk along US-64 (Bus.) is allowed. That sidewalk, running parallel to US-64 (Business), is mostly only a few feet wide with some sharp curves; it is acceptable for slow-riding leisure family groups, but not for fast cyclists who are better off riding on the highway's shoulders. The sidewalk runs north and south, through Manteo, for the northern two-thirds of Roanoke Island. Another pretty side trip while on the Outer Banks is into downtown Manteo's unique and special waterfront with the replica sailing ship Elizabeth II on Roanoke Island Festival Park across from the waterfront. Also to be visited are Fort Raleigh, the Elizabethan Gardens, and the North Carolina Aquarium at the north end of Roanoke Island. Riding on the new Virginia Dare Bridge (US-64) over to Mann’s Harbor is quite pleasant. The views are wonderful. The bridge has 6' wide paved shoulders, although the speed limit is 55 mph.

HATTERAS ISLAND ROADWAYS AND BIKEWAYS

    South of Nags Head, NC 12 ("Ocean Highway") continues for over 60 more miles to the end of Ocracoke Island, through the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge are the primary attractions. Between South Nags Head and Ocracoke, there are some sections without wide paved shoulders. Between South Nags Head and a point two miles south of the Oregon Inlet Bridge, most of the paved shoulder width is only one foot or less. From that point south, the shoulder is four feet wide the rest of the way to the Ferry Docks in Hatteras Village. Speed limits are generally 55 mph between towns and 45 mph through the villages. Some of the villages have wider paved shoulders or separate multi-use paths. Traffic on the roadway is heavy, especially in the warmer months, with many RVs and trucks, although long distance visibility is good due to the flat open terrain. This portion of the Wright Brothers Bikeway is not recommended for any cyclists who are not experienced, and is mildly discouraged during the summer months even for experts, especially on weekends. On the way, stop at Coquina Beach rest stop for a dip in the ocean (using the public change rooms). There are several villages scattered 8- 12 miles apart, with not much else but salt grass, sea oats, and beach in between. Carry a good supply of water. There are restaurants and stores along the way in the villages. A required side trip (and a short one at that) in the village of Buxton is to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Further on, in Hatteras Village, at the south end of Hatteras Island, you will find the Museum of the Graveyard of the Atlantic adjacent to the ferry docks for the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry. Take some bread or rolls to feed the sea gulls during the ferry ride; they'll take it right out of your fingers!

    Ocracoke:   Near the Museum in Hatteras Village, you can catch a 40-minute free ferry ride to Ocracoke Island, the former headquarters of Blackbeard the Pirate, with a 13 mile ride on newly paved road from the ferry dock to the village of Ocracoke, one of the quaintest and quietest villages on the Outer Banks. NC-12 on Ocracoke Island is more bicycle-friendly, with traffic coming usually in small batches due to the ferry schedules.   North of the village of Ocracoke, roadway shoulders are generally only 1-2' wide, but there are 4' paved shoulders between the Park Service campground and the village. Ocracoke Village itself is not to be missed, and provides good family cycling on the neighborhood streets. From Ocracoke, you can catch toll ferries either to Cedar Island and Morehead City, (NC 12 and US 70), or to Swan Quarter on the NC mainland (US 264). Or, you can just head back north. There are plenty of places to stay overnight along the way -- motels, campgrounds, bed and breakfast inns (although reservations are often useful in the summer). And lots of great places to eat.

DARE COUNTY MAINLAND

    U. S. Highway 264, southwest out of Manteo and Roanoke Island, past the village of Stumpy Point to the Engelhard/Swan Quarter area, is a wonderful route for long distance and fast riding, but bring along your own supply of snacks and drinks; there's not much along the 40-mile route except wildlife. Motor vehicle traffic is almost non-existent along US-264 past Mann’s Harbor.

OFF-ROAD BICYCLING

    Off-road cycling is quite limited in Dare County. However, there are 3 places where cyclists can ride their mountain bikes in the dirt.

        Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve offers the only practical dirt road bicycling on Dare County's Outer Banks. It is accessed from NC 12 and US 158, westbound on Ocean Acres Dr, in the "Fast Food Alley" of south Kill Devil Hills. Bicycles are not allowed on the forest walking trails, but there are several miles of dirt roads open to the public for cycling.

        Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Dare County Mainland, just on the south side of U. S. 64, a dozen miles southwest of Mann's Harbor which itself is located at the west end of the Virginia Dare Bridge leading west from Roanoke Island. Recreational bicycling is not encouraged by the Refuge, but observing wildlife by bicycle is allowed. Access is from U.S. 264 a few miles south of the U. S. 64/264 intersection southwest of Mann's Harbor, or on Milltail Road or Buffalo City Road a few miles further west on U.S. 64 from that intersection. Cycling is not permitted on any hiking/walking trails; cyclists must stay on the marked roads, all unpaved. Maps are available at no charge at the Refuge office in Manteo, 708 N. Hwy 64 (Bus.), 252-473-1131, ext. 230, or on their website: www.fws.gov/alligatorriver.

        Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge: The Refuge is located on NC-12 on northern Hatteras Island. There is a 4-mile loop ride on unpaved roads around the North Pond. Access is via either of the two observation roads. Cyclists should inquire at the Pea Island Visitors Center prior to starting on this ride.

BICYCLING EVENTS

    If you are an avid cyclist, you might want to participate in a special annual biking event in Dare County and the surrounding areas:

    TOUR DE CURE: Each mid-April, the American Diabetes Association sponsors the Outer Banks Tour de Cure. There are two sections of the Tour. The 100-mile ride begins in Chesapeake, Virginia, and passes through Currituck County’s mainland via NC-168, US-158, and US-64, ending in Manteo, at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The local Tour provides for rides of up to 50 miles, all within Dare County, leaving from Festival Park, eastward to the ocean, northward on NC-12 and neighborhood routes, and return to the Park. For information, contact the ADA at 1-888-DIABETES, or go to the Tour de Cure website at tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_homepage

BICYCLE SALES AND REPAIR SHOPS

    Corolla: Outerbanks Bicycle, Food Lion Shopping Center, 807 Ocean Trail, NC-12, (252-453-0220); and the Bike Barn, (252-453-0788).

    Kitty Hawk: Kitty Hawk Cycles on Eckner Street, between U.S. 158 and NC-12, at about Milepost 3 (252-261-2060).

    Kill Devil Hills:   Kill Devil Hills Cycle, 203 S. Virginia Dare Trail, just east of the Wright Brothers Memorial near Mile Post 8 (252-480-3399); and the nearby Bike Barn at 1312 Wrightsville Blvd, (252-441-3786).

    Nags Head: none

    Hatteras Island: Island Cycles in Avon in the Food Lion Shopping Center on NC-12 (252-995-4336 or 800-229-7810); and the Bike Barn, Hatteras Village, next to the Lightship Tavern (252-986-2453).

    Bicycles can be rented at all of those shops, as well as at any of the several Ocean Atlantic Rental shops in Corolla, Duck, Nags Head, and Avon (252-441-7823 or www.oar-nc.com); at Duck Village Outfitters at 1207 Duck Rd (252-261-7222); and also at several shops in Ocracoke.

SOME LONG BICYCLE RIDES

    o    32 miles: From the Wright Brothers Monument Airport parking lot on Colington Road in Kill Devil Hills, east to the beach road, south to Bodie Island Lighthouse on Virginia Dare Trail and Old Oregon Inlet Road, and return to airport.

    o    44 miles (70 km): Head north on the bike path from Kitty Hawk. Park at the Marketplace Shopping Center in Southern Shores (across US-158 from WalMart) which is one mile east of the end of the Wright Memorial Bridge leading onto the Outer Banks. Pick up the bike path on the north side of US-158 at the Marketplace, head toward the beach and make the turn to the north. Stay on the bike path. Through Duck it turns into wide outside paved shoulders, and then back into a bike path. As you pass Sanderling, you'll have wide outside paved shoulders again, all the way to Corolla at the north end of the O.B. Have breakfast, and make the return trip. Do this fairly early in the morning, on a weekday (definitely NOT Saturday, which is rental turnover day down here).

    o    44 miles (70 km): Ride the Wright Brothers Bikeway from the Marketplace Shopping Center south through Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head to the end in south Nags Head and return is a good ride for casual cyclists, even older children. Many rest stops along the way for food, beach visits, shopping. Multi-use paths, wide paved shoulders, quiet neighborhood streets, 35 mph speed limit, not too much traffic. For shorter distances, don’t ride so far south.

    o    62 miles (100 km): From the Wright Brothers Monument Airport parking lot west on Wright Brothers bike path, then north 1st St (KDH), Bay Drive, KH Road, Woods Rd, east on the bike path, then north on the bike path along NC-12 thru S. Shores, Duck, Corolla to the end of the paved road, and return to airport.

    o    92 miles: From the Wright Brothers Airport parking lot east to the beach road at the Stop ‘N Shop (best deli on the beach), south to Bodie Is. Lighthouse via Virginia Dare Trail and Old Oregon Inlet Road, then return to Whalebone Junction, west on US-64/264 over Baum Bridge, Va Dare Bridge, south on Route 264 to Stumpy Point, and return via Mann’s Harbor and the Umstead Bridge on US-64 (Bus.), east over the Baum Bridge to Virgina Dare Trail (NC-12), and north along the return route to the Wright Brothers Airport.

    o    100 miles: From Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head, south on NC-12 and Old Oregon Inlet Road, past the Bodie Is. Lighthouse, over the Oregon Inlet Bridge, and south on NC-12 to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and return.

    o    150 miles: From the beach access parking lot in Kill Devil Hills at the east end of Ocean Bay Blvd (Colington Rd) across from the Stop 'N Shop, south on NC-12 and Old Oregon Inlet Road, past the Bodie Is. Lighthouse, over the Oregon Inlet Bridge, and south on NC-12 past the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, to the ferry docks at Hatteras Village, ferry to Ocracoke with an overnight stay there. Next day, take the ferry to Swan Quarter, and US-264 north and US-64 east back to the Outer Banks, north on NC-12 to the parking lot; start early in the morning both days.

OTHER INFORMATION

    Other information: Bicyclists will find quite useful the brochure "Around Pamlico Sound: Bicycling North Carolina's Outer Banks Region", available from the NCDOT Division of Bicycle Transportation (919-733-2804) and Outer Banks Visitor Centers (252-473-2138). This describes other bicycling options in northeast North Carolina. Another brochure by the Dare County Visitors Bureau is "The Outer Banks -- the natural choice", also available at the Visitor Centers, as is the booklet "Outer Banks Travel Guide" is most informative. For information on other bicycling in eastern North Carolina, go to the following ncdot website: ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/, or call them at 919-733-2804.

    As hurricanes pass through the Outer Banks, road damage often occurs which can interfere with safe and enjoyable bicycling. If you plan to ride the Outer Banks soon after a hurricane passes, be sure to check with the Visitor's Bureau (252-473-2138) to find out whether the roadways have been cleared.

    Be sure to stop by one of the Visitors Centers when you visit! Check their website: www.outerbanks.org. Bicycling questions can also be answered by the Wheels of Dare Bicycle Club, 6072 Currituck Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949, phone 252-261-3068. E-mail: Brobst-Hager@embarqmail.com

    And, please, RIDE SAFELY and HAVE FUN!!

NC BICYCLE LAWS AND GUIDES FOR BEACH AREA RIDING

    The NC traffic laws define the rights and duties of bicyclists as well as the motorists with whom they share the roadway. State traffic laws consider bicycles, mopeds, and motorized bikes as legal road vehicles, and subject to the same laws, therefore cyclists must adhere to the traffic laws just as motorists must.

    The following summary of the laws and good practices may by useful in keeping you safe and out of trouble with the motorists and police:

        1. Bicyclists, including moped operators, have the right to ride on any public-maintained roadway, whether or not designated as a NCDOT Bicycle Route. But, please, ride predictably and courteously to keep traffic moving safely and to avoid accidents.

        2. Bicyclists must ride on the right, in the same direction as the flow of other traffic. Never ride on the left against the flow of traffic. Motorists must give the cyclists are least a two-foot clearance when passing. Bicyclists should remain within 4' of the right hand paved edge of the roadway. They have the right to be there, and the responsibility to stay there. A bicyclist is not required to ride on the shoulder, paved or not, since the shoulder is not legally defined as being part of the roadway. (But remember, whether the bottle hits the stone, or the stone hits the bottle, it's going to bad for the bottle!)

        3. While bicyclists should ride as far right as practicable, they may ride well out into the motor vehicle traffic lane under the following conditions: a. If he/she can maintain a speed not less than 10 mph under the posted speed limit, or the same speed as other vehicles on the roadway; b. If the right-hand edge of the roadway is in poor condition (gravel, potholes, etc.); and c. In order to rightfully claim a right-of-way to prevent being squeezed by passing two-way traffic.

        4. Bicyclists must ride single file on any roadway shared with motorists. Avoid swerving and other sudden changes of direction or speed. Keep children off the high speed highways, even if they are experienced bicyclists with good traffic sense. Be sure to have a rearview mirror if you're going ride on the highway.

        5. Minor-age or slow adult bicyclists may ride on the sidewalks (there are precious few of them in Dare County); it's not recommended for fast adult bicyclists and may be unlawful unless the sidewalk is specifically and legally marked as a bikeway which meets the DOT bikeway safety standards (at least 6' wide). And pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks.

        6. Motorists may approach and pass a bicyclist only at a safe lateral distance and with reasonable and proper speed. Overtaking motor vehicle operators are required to treat bicycles as legitimate vehicles, and pass only when it is safe to do so, clearing the bicycle by at least two feet. (But keep a close watch on pickup trucks, RVs, and boat trailers; their ideas of adequate clearance and safe passing procedures often differ from cyclist's preferences.) Stay alert!

        7. Bicyclists must use hand signals for turns and stops. Bicyclists must obey stop lights, stop signs, and other traffic signals, just as motor vehicles do; no buzzing through after a quick glance. (You can't have it both ways-- if you want the right to be treated as a vehicle driver, then you have to act like one.) If the bicyclist dismounts and walks beside the bike, the cyclist is then (and only then) a pedestrian, and subject to pedestrian rules instead. Intersections are a major location of serious bicycle accidents.

        8. Bicyclists may choose to make a left turn from the appropriate lane, like other vehicles, with hand signals, or may dismount and walk the bicycle across the intersection, as a pedestrian.

        9. Bicyclists must keep at least one hand on the handle bars at all times. No riding double except on a bike specially designed or equipped to carry more than one rider (tandem bikes or adult bikes with child seats). Hitching rides on moving motor vehicles is dangerous and unlawful.

        10. When on a designated multi-use or bike path, the cyclist has the right of way over motor vehicles turning into or coming out of parking lots or driveways across the path. But remember the story of the stone and the bottle. Motorists might not be aware of that right-of-way law, and even if they are, they might not see you and might not even be looking for bicyclists. Brightly colored clothing will help them to see you.

        11. In case of a bicycle accident involving death, injury, or property damage, the bicyclist must stop and report the accident to the police.

        12. Riding at night requires a lighted white light in the front (visible 300'), and either a lighted red light and/or a red reflector in the rear (visible 200'). (But better to put the bike away at dark and not put your life in the hands of the motorists on dark, narrow, unfamiliar, and crowded roads, we have very few streetlights.)

        13. The North Carolina Bicycle Helmet Law requires, as of Oct 1, 2001:
             a Every person under 16 years old must wear an approved bicycle helmet when operating a bicycle on any public road, public bicycle path, or other public right-of-way.
             b. All child passengers falling at or below 40 pounds/40 inches must be carried in a separate restraining seat.
             c. Any parent or legal guardian who knowingly allows a child to ride without a helmet or to ride as a passenger not secured in a restraining seat (when applicable) will be in violation of the law.
             d. Violation of the law carries a $10 civil fine. The fine may be waived upon the receipt of satisfactory proof of purchase of helmet or restraining seat.

        14. Watch for sand on the roads, especially near the beach area. A thin layer isn't too bad, but if it is more than that, it can lead to loss of control. Many shoulders are covered with soft sand, and might be generally unridable.

        15. Adequate bicycle parking devices are still scarce on the Outer Banks. You'll find some at the beach access areas and at a few of the shopping centers. Thefts do occur, so carry a lock and do the best you can.

MORE INFORMATION

    If you’d like to learn more about events, activities, accommodations, etc., for Dare County and the Outer Banks, you can call the Dare County Visitor’s Bureau at 252-473-2138, or go to their website outerbanks.org.

    For information on other bicycling opportunities in eastern North Carolina, go to the NCDOT website ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/, or call them at 919-733-2804 or 919-807-0777.

    Contact the Wheels of Dare Bicycle Club for more detailed information and advice on bicycling along the Outer Banks: William A. Brobst, President, Wheels of Dare Bicycle Club, 6072 Currituck Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949   (252) 261-3068, Brobst-Hager@embarqmail.com

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, a public authority, is the lead marketing and promotional agency for The Outer Banks of North Carolina® and is funded by 1% occupancy and 1% prepared meals tax, collected in Dare County.

©1998- 2010 Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. Privacy Statement