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Bill

LC 3259

Require bicycles to go opposite the flow of traffic

2025 Regular Session

Montana bill would require bicycles to travel opposite motor vehicle traffic flow, reversing current law and potentially creating safety and infrastructure conflicts.

(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
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Bill Summary · LC 3259

Legislative bill overview

LC 3259 would require bicycles to operate in the opposite direction of vehicle traffic flow on roadways in Montana. This represents a reversal of current traffic laws, which generally require bicycles to travel in the same direction as motor vehicles while staying in designated bike lanes or road shoulders.

Why is this important

This proposal would fundamentally alter how cyclists navigate public roads and could significantly impact traffic safety, cycling infrastructure, and enforcement patterns. The change would affect millions of interactions between cyclists and motor vehicles, potentially increasing accident risk if drivers are unprepared for counter-flow bicycle traffic.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety concerns: Cyclists traveling opposite traffic flow face increased collision risk at intersections, driveways, and when turning, as drivers are not trained to expect or watch for this behavior
  • Infrastructure mismatch: Existing bike lanes and road designs are engineered for same-direction traffic; counter-flow cycling would require extensive redesign and reconstruction of infrastructure statewide
  • Enforcement complexity: Law enforcement would need to distinguish between intentional counter-flow cycling and standard traffic violations, complicating traffic management and citation procedures

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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