MONTANA (January 8, 2025) – Montana legislators introduced a bill on January 7, 2025 to force cyclists to ride the wrong way in traffic. House Bill 124 is titled:
AN ACT REVISING BICYCLE LAWS; PROVIDING THAT BICYCLES MUST BE RIDDEN OPPOSITE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC UNLESS RIDDEN WITH A FLAG VEHICLE ESCORT; AND REPEALING SECTIONS 61-8-602 AND 61-8-605, MCA.
Supposedly, the new language will make it safer to ride, “This change aims to enhance safety for both cyclists and motorists.”
The actual bill text, introduced by legislators Albus, Tilleman, and Ler, reads: Section 1. Riding on roadways. (1) A person operating a bicycle on a roadway without a flag vehicle escort shall ride opposite the flow of traffic. 12 (2) A person operating a bicycle on a roadway with a flag vehicle escort shall ride with the flow of traffic.
For more on the bill, see: https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/mt/2025/bills/MTB00017451/
The League of American Bicyclists recommends always riding with the flow of traffic. Cycling West recommends the same.
