How and where should I ride?

Contrary to a common misconception, cyclists do not have to (and are not recommended to) ride as far to the right side of the road as they can. There are many good reasons for this.

But what does the law say about this?

The law in the majority of US states and Canadian provinces indicate that a cyclist on the road has the same rights and duties as a driver of a vehicle.

Cyclists are generally required to ride as near as practicable to the right side of the highway. Note that it does not say "as far to the right as possible." A significant body of case law has shown that a proper interpretation is "as far to the right as is safe and reasonable."

Following the law for safety

There is the occasional driver who may see a cyclist riding further from the curb, or edge of the road, as being belligerent. Cyclists have a right to be on the road, and riding further from the edge is simply a matter of safety—for the cyclist, for motorists and for other road users.

If you were riding on the road and were trying to hide from traffic, would you ride further to the right, or further to the left? In courses for all ages, we constantly get a response of "you'd ride further to the right". Do we want to hide from traffic? Here's a hint: the vast majority of collisions occur when a driver simply does not see a cyclist.

Riding further left makes a cyclist more visible to drivers in front and behind, reducing the likelihood of a collision.

Cyclists have just as much right to be on the roadway as do motorists. They also have a right to an expectation of being treated safely by others. How close to (or far from) the side of the road we ride to be safe depends on a number of elements.

To learn more...

See the items on the menu at left ("Cycling skills & tips") for articles and resources on riding safely. Look through this section for information on how you can best ensure your safety, and help accommodate traffic flow.

These elements are taught in-depth in cycling courses and workshops by The CCE.

Questions? Please don't hesitate to contact us.