Biking with or Against Traffic

The logic as to why to run with traffic varies vs why not to ride into it, primarily since a head on collision between someone going 20mph on a bike and a 40mph car is gonna hurt a lot more then a 20mph bike getting clipped by a 40mph car.  Not a pretty picture and not a good idea at all even though you can see the flaming death a' comin.

When i was back at home, i would always ride the transcanada highway north of lake superior!! GOOOOOD RIDING! and im pretty sure its illegal to ride against traffic.....always ride with traffic and with a helmet.

If you want to be treated like a vehicle, you need to act like a vehicle, meaning follow the rules. They're there not to make you bow down to the man, but to establish order in a chaotic world. Other vehicles would not expect you to be riding the "wrong" way, putting you at risk. As a quick example, a vehicle coming out of the side street and turning right may just look to the left for oncoming vehicles in the lane. You, the outlaw, would be coming from the right, and get smacked.

I always ride with traffic. 

One example of the danger of riding opposite traffic:  If you are a motorist stopped at an intersection looking to make a right turn, the natural inclination is to look left for oncoming traffic.  Yes, we should all be aware of anything approaching from our right, but in reality we are not expecting a 'vehicle' to be coming at us in the 'wrong' direction as we make the turn.  Could end in a nasty collision. 

Just one example.  Takehome message: Ride where motorists are expecting to see you.

ETA: Nevermind, already discussed.  Took too long to post.

Always ride with traffic, physics back up the idea. If you're moving toward a car there will be more force involved in the crash than if you're moving away from the car

God forbid something like that happens...but it's good to know

They are in NJ:

39:4-14.2, 39:4-10.11 Operating Regulations.
Every person riding a bicycle on a roadway shall ride as near to the right roadside as practicable exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. A bicyclist may move left under any of the following conditions: 1) To make a left turn from a left turn lane or pocket; 2) To avoid debris, drains, or other hazardous conditions on the right; 3) To pass a slower moving vehicle; 4) To occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; 5) To travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded, but otherwise ride in single file. Every person riding a bicycle should ride in the same direction as vehicular traffic.

In New Jersey, the law states a bicyclist must obey all state and local automobile driving laws. A parent may be held responsible for the child’s violation of any traffic law.

Ride with traffic.

RUN against traffic.

RIDE with traffic.

Matt Cazalas
Technical Writer

Network Cables

I agree with the concensus that biking should always be with traffic, but that brings up another question.  Should one hug the shoulder or ride a few feet off the shoulder.

When riding alone, I typically ride close to the shoulder which allows cars to come by without slowing much, but when riding in a group we typically take up a little more space.  This seems to MAKE a vehicle slow down and actually make a pass rather than try to pass the line at higher speeds.