Quote Originally Posted by Eden
I'm more with KSH on this argument. I much prefer to act like a vehicle and am allowed to. ...

RCW 46.61.770
Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.

(1) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place shall ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe except as may be appropriate while preparing to make or while making turning movements, or while overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or highway other than a limited-access highway, which roadway or highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as is safe. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway may use the shoulder of the roadway or any specially designated bicycle lane if such exists.

(2) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
I agree with you and I also prefer to ride in the road - which the vehicle code clearly allows.

For anyone who is not familiar with the vehicle code in your state, I'd advise you to check on your state's code before assuming that the code Eden shows above applies to your state too. I live in Massachusetts where the vehicle code states: "Operators of bicycles shall be subject to the following regulations: 1. The operator shall ride single file on any way except when passing. ... "

Here's a link to a page that will give you easy access to the bicycle-related vehicle code within the US, plus a few links for other countries too: http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/bikelaw.htm

--- Denise