Most US state laws require cyclists to ride on the right of a lane. In Georgia (where I am), this part of the law reads:
40-6-294.
(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left or avoiding hazards to safe cycling, when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle, when traveling at the same speed as traffic, or while exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction; provided, however, that every person operating a bicycle away from the right side of the roadway shall exercise reasonable care and shall give due consideration to the other applicable rules of the road. As used in this subsection, the term “hazards to safe cycling” includes, but is not limited to, surface debris, rough pavement, drain grates which areparallel to the side of the roadway, parked or stopped vehicles, potentially opening car doors, or any other objects which threaten the safety of a person operating a bicycle.
This morning my friend posted this very illustrative animation about why riding more to the left is much, MUCH safer. So, keep to the right… but the leftish side of right! And at least in Georgia, you are still following the cycling laws.
Every dangerous situation the animated cyclist encounters I have experienced… great and helpful work!
1 response so far ↓
1 KC // Jul 8, 2010 at 1:53 pm
This part: “…when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle…” will exempt you from keeping right in a lot of cases. In most states, too narrow to share is defined as less than 14ft wide (not always in statute, but in the AASHTO guide and most states’ PPMs). You can eyeball the width by determining if two cars can fit side by side, if not, the lane probably is less than 14ft.
Tailwinds! Thanks for the link
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