Montana Code 61-8-605. Riding on roadways
61-8-605. Riding on roadways. (1) A person operating a bicycle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride in the right-hand lane of the roadway, subject to the following provisions:
Terms Used In Montana Code 61-8-605
- Bicycle: means a vehicle propelled solely by human power on which any person may ride, irrespective of the number of wheels, except scooters, wheelchairs, and similar devices. See Montana Code 61-8-102
- driveway: means a way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons. See Montana Code 61-8-102
- Intersection: means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines or if there are no curb lines then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways that join one another at or approximately at right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling on different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict. See Montana Code 61-8-102
- Laned roadway: means a roadway that is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic. See Montana Code 61-8-102
- person: means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, state agency, local government unit, another state government, the United States, a political subdivision of this or another state, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Roadway: means the portion of a highway that is improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, including the paved shoulder. See Montana Code 61-8-102
- Traffic: means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highways for purposes of travel. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Vehicle: means a device in, on, or by which any person or property may be transported or drawn on a public highway, except devices moved by animal power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. See Montana Code 61-1-101
(a)If the right-hand lane is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the right as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.
(b)A bicyclist may use a lane other than the right-hand lane when:
(i)overtaking and passing a slower vehicle;
(ii)preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
(iii)the right-hand lane is a dedicated right-turn lane and the bicyclist does not intend to turn right; or
(iv)it is necessary to avoid a condition that makes it unsafe to ride in the right-hand lane of the roadway.
(2)A person operating a bicycle on a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as close to the left side of the roadway as judged safe by the bicyclist.
(3)Persons riding bicycles on a roadway shall ride in single file except when:
(a)riding on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles;
(b)overtaking and passing another bicycle;
(c)riding on a paved shoulder or in a parking lane, in which case the persons may ride two abreast; or
(d)riding within a single lane on a laned roadway with at least two lanes in each direction, in which case the persons may ride two abreast only if they do not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic more than they would otherwise impede traffic by riding single file and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(4)A bicyclist is not expected or required to ride:
(a)over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or
(b)without a reasonable margin of safety on the right side of the roadway.