With summer in full swing, many people in Moscow are taking advantage of the beautiful days to commute and run errands by bicycle instead of driving. Bicycle racks around town are increasingly full in places where they previously weren't. Competition for bike rack space is a good sign that people are embracing a non-polluting, fun, and safe means of transportation. While it is a good thing that more people are riding their bikes, some new riders may be unaware of, or misinformed about, Idaho's bike laws. This can lead to unsafe conditions for both riders and drivers. Drivers in Moscow and the surrounding area are very courteous to cyclists. Moscow is also very progressive by providing bike lanes on city streets. However, cyclists need to respect drivers and other cyclists by following the bike laws.

The most common misconception among the public pertains to which side of the road bicycles are supposed to travel. This is especially true in Moscow where it's easy to see examples of people riding on the wrong side. State law 49-717 states that bicycles are to be operated on the right-hand side of the roadway because law 49-714 states that cyclists have the same responsibilities as drivers of any other vehicle.

The State of Idaho has made the bike laws easily accessible through the website provided below. Regardless of whether you ride a bike or drive a car, I encourage all readers to read more about the Idaho bike laws. Cycling is a very safe means of transportation as long as everyone understands and plays by the same rules. Always remember to have fun, share the road, and ride safe!