On A Bicycle
Transp. § 21-1202 — a driver's rights, as far right as practicable and safe, and lights
In Maryland, every person operating a bicycle has all the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle, except as the bicycle subtitle provides and for provisions that by their very nature cannot apply. On a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, a rider has a pedestrian's rights, obeys traffic control signals at intersections, and yields to pedestrians.
Where on the road. Below the speed of traffic, a rider stays as near the right side of the roadway as practicable and safe, except when turning left, on a one-way street, passing, avoiding pedestrians or road hazards, when the right lane is right turn only, or in a lane too narrow to share safely. Riding two abreast is allowed only if the flow of traffic is unimpeded.
- When people and vehicles are not clearly discernible at 1,000 feet, a white front lamp visible from at least 500 feet and an approved red rear reflector, or a red or flashing amber rear lamp visible from 500 feet.
- A braking system that stops from 10 miles per hour within 15 feet on dry, level, clean pavement.
- No siren or whistle.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionA cyclist must always ride at the far edge | What the law actually doesAs near the right as practicable and safe, with the exceptions the section lists |
| The assumptionA cyclist on the sidewalk follows the car rules | What the law actually doesOn a sidewalk or crosswalk, a rider has a pedestrian's rights and yields to pedestrians |
Local ordinances on sidewalks, paths and bicycle registration are not all on this page. How these rules apply to a particular crash or ticket is a question for a licensed Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- Md. Code, Transp. § 21-1202 — Bicycles: rights and duties
- Md. Code, Transp. § 21-1205 — Bicycles: riding on roadways
- Md. Code, Transp. § 21-1207 — Bicycles: lamps, signals and brakes
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.