You ask which is safer. By far, less people are hit from behind. I know it doesn’t seem right but the stats prove it. Drivers have more time to see you (unless they are drunk).

Its not a matter of better. You’re considered a vehicle and MUST obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicles.

Ride on the right, stop at stop signs and red lights, signal your turns, etc.

ALWAYS go WITH the flow of traffic ! And NEVER on the sidewalk unless you’re 8 years old ! In CA, we must follow the same laws as a car / motorcycle.

When you ride against traffic:

1. You probably have no intention of getting off the road each time a car approaches you, the way a pedestrian would be expected to act.
2. All the regulatory signs are facing away from you so you can’t read them.
3. Closing speeds with cars are additive instead of subtractive. That means if you are going 15 mph and the car is going 30 mph, your closing speed is 15 mph when riding with traffic and 45 mph when riding against traffic.
4. A car cannot simply slow down behind you and wait for a safe spot to pass.
5. Cars entering from side roads will not be looking for a bicycle coming from the ‘wrong’ direction and are more likely to pull in front of/into you.

I was almost hit buy an idiot riding his bike into on coming traffic! you are vehicle and must obey the traffic laws. if heavier traffic is too nerve racking for you, take an alternate route. it may mean more miles, but look at it this way, you got to spend more quality time with your bike!

Before 1962, the laws varied from state to state; 26 states said ride with traffic, 24 states said ride against traffic, like a pedestrian. In 1962 it was made “with traffic” in all 50 states.

There is some merit to the idea that you should go against traffic- that you can see the car coming. It works for pedestrians, but bicycles go a lot faster than pedestrians.

For about twenty dollars you can purchase a rear-view mirror for your bicycle, so you can see them coming even when you are riding with traffic.

Remember, it’s your job to watch where the car is going. Motorists will be highly offended if you even suggest that they should watch where their car is going. (I’m being a bit sarcastic here).

Your bicycle is a vehicle. You should go with traffic.

You might feel safer being able to see traffic coming at you and having them see you (maybe). But unless you are riding on the gravel shoulder (which makes it all a moot point), you should still be riding with traffic.

Most states laws on bike traffic see a bike as a vehicle, thus a cyclist must travel with the flow of traffic, obey all traffic signs and signal turns. Just make sure you wear bright clothing,all reflectors are present and clean, and pay attention and you’ll be okay. Sometimes I get a little paranoid when I hear traffic roaring up behind me, if it bugs you another step is to get a side view mirror deal to attach to your helmet so you don’t have to keep turning your head, but can still see what’s going on behind you. Good luck!

i know that when your walking (with no sidewalk) it’s best to not walk toward the cars. Maybe the same with biking. I’ve also heard that people are suppose to walk on the right side of the road and bike on the left, though i don’t think it matters.

You should be going with the traffic, not against it. This way drivers can see you as they approach instead of being surprised by you when you are approaching them.