Durham, NC Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)

Section 66-310(e) of the Durham City Code provides that whenever a lane of traffic is marked or signed as a bike lane, it is unlawful for the driver of a motorized vehicle to occupy that lane for moving or parking, except that a driver may cross the lane to make a lawful turning movement, yielding the right-of-way to any bicycle, electric assisted bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device already occupying it. In practice this bars ordinary cars and trucks from driving in, stopping in, or parking in a marked bike lane, and it requires anyone turning across the lane to yield to riders already using it.

The same section separately restricts where bicycle and micromobility riders may park their own devices. Subsection (f) forbids parking directly on a sidewalk unless at least a four-foot pedestrian corridor remains or the device is in a marked bike-parking area, blocking ADA features such as curb ramps or signal push buttons, blocking transit stops or waiting areas outside city-approved space, and blocking street furniture, loading zones, entryways, driveways, alleys, fire hydrants, or crosswalks. 00 rather than a criminal charge.