Better Cycling: Traffic Laws

In all 50 states, people on bikes are required to follow the same laws as other drivers.
Here are a few key principles that underpin all US traffic laws:

• First Come, First Served

Everyone on the road is entitled to the lane width they need. This includes the space behind, to each side and the space in front. If you want to use someone else’s space you must yield to whoever is using it.

• Ride on the Right

In the United States, everyone must drive on the right-hand side of the roadway.

• Yielding to Crossing Traffic

When you come to an intersection, if you don’t have the right of way, you must yield.

• Yielding when Changing Lanes

If you want to change lanes, you must yield to traffic that is in your new lane of travel.

• Speed Positioning

The slowest vehicles on the road should be the furthest to the right. Where you position yourself on the road depends on the location of any parked cars, your speed, and your destination. Always pass on the left.

• Lane Positioning 

Bikes can share the same lane with other drivers. If a lane is wide enough to share with another vehicle (about 14 feet), ride three feet to the right of traffic. If the lane is not wide enough to share, “take the lane” by riding in the middle.

• Intersection positioning

When there is a lane that is used for more than one direction, use the rightmost lane going in the direction you are traveling.

• Follow all street signs, signals, and markings

Drive your bike as you would any vehicle.

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Taken from the League of American Bicyclist's website:  bikeleague.org/content/traffic-laws