In most places a bicycle is given specific rights to use the road.<p>Generally such laws include things like:<p>1) May use the turn lanes when turning.<p>2) Must ride to a specific side of the road unless: You can keep with the speed of traffic, there is not enough safe distance for a car to pass you, or it is not safe to ride on the side of the road. (These rules are generally true of <i>any</i> vehicle that drives slower than general traffic.)<p>3) Protections to the bicyclist. Either in the form of &quot;vulnerable traffic&quot; laws, or specific bike protection laws.<p>4) There are even places with laws preventing bicyclists from using the sidewalk.<p>5) About the only place a bicyclist isn&#x27;t allowed to ride is on high speed traffic areas like a freeway&#x2F;highway&#x2F;etc.<p>6) Protections for the bicyclist against negligent drivers such as mandating safe driving distances, when to pass, and protecting against specific activities that may endanger the bicyclist.<p>I do agree that a bike path is certainly much safer (and perhaps more scenic) for fitness, but many people are interested in traveling to a specific location. (Ex, the beach or a park. Riding along the coastline. Etc.)<p>The main problem with biking on the road isn&#x27;t that you are doing something wrong... but that drivers do not respect you. Tailing too close, not giving you the right of way when you have it, etc.