You’re riding your bike down the road when a car suddenly pulls out in front of you.
The driver didn’t see you coming.
Maybe they were looking for cars. Maybe they were watching for pedestrians. Maybe you were coming from a direction they simply weren’t expecting.
Either way, it leaves you wondering: Was I actually where I was supposed to be?
It’s a question more of us are having to think about as bikes, e-bikes, and electric scooters become a bigger part of how people get around. Some of these vehicles can move surprisingly fast, and many people are learning how to use them as they go.
That became especially clear to me recently when I watched a woman riding a large bike along a sidewalk in the opposite direction from traffic. She wasn’t doing anything that looked reckless. But as I watched her approach intersections, I found myself worrying about what a driver turning across her path would see—and whether they would have enough time to see her and react.
It made me wonder how many people simply don’t know where they’re safest when they’re sharing space with cars.
So let’s make this simple. Where are pedestrians, bikes, e-bikes, and electric scooters actually supposed to be—and which direction should they be going? If you’re trying to understand the bike rules of the road in Utah, here’s what you need to know.
The Short Answer
Walking on a sidewalk: Use the sidewalk. The roadway rule about facing traffic doesn’t apply when you’re walking on the sidewalk.
Walking along a road without a sidewalk or usable shoulder: Walk on the left side, facing traffic.
Riding a bike or e-bike on the road: Ride on the right side, going with traffic.
Riding an electric scooter on the road: Generally, go with traffic, just like a bike.
The details can change when you’re on a sidewalk, bike path, or other separated area, and local rules can matter. But if you’re sharing the roadway with cars, the basic idea is simple: pedestrians face traffic; riders go with it.
Pedestrians: Face Traffic When You’re Walking Along the Road
If you’re walking along a road without a sidewalk or usable shoulder, Utah’s rule is to walk on the left side, facing the traffic coming toward you.
There’s a practical reason for that rule. You can see the cars coming, and the cars can see you. You’re not walking with your back to traffic and hoping a driver notices you from behind.
That doesn’t mean walking on the left side is always safer than using a sidewalk. If there’s a sidewalk available and it’s practical to use, that’s where you should be. The left-side rule comes into play when you’re actually walking along the roadway.
And there’s an important difference between walking on a sidewalk and walking along the road. Once you’re on a sidewalk, you’re not expected to pick a side based on the direction of traffic. You’re separated from the vehicles, so the roadway rule about facing traffic doesn’t apply in the same way.
The goal is really pretty simple: when you have to share the road with cars, put yourself where you can see them coming and where they have a chance to see you.
Bikes and E-Bikes: Go With Traffic
Bikes are different from pedestrians. When you’re riding a bike or e-bike on the roadway, you generally travel in the same direction as traffic and stay as far to the right as practicable. Understanding these basic bike rules of the road can help you make safer choices when you’re sharing the roadway with cars.
There are exceptions. You may need to move left to pass someone, avoid a hazard, prepare for a left turn, or when the roadway doesn’t leave enough room to safely share the lane. But the basic direction stays the same: if you’re riding on the road, ride with traffic.
What About Electric Scooters?
If you’re riding an electric scooter on the roadway, the basic direction-of-travel rule is the same as it is for a bike: go with traffic.
There are additional rules for electric scooters, and the rules can change depending on whether you’re on a roadway, sidewalk, or path. Local ordinances can also matter. So if you’re looking up scooter laws in Utah, it’s worth looking at the rules for the particular place where you’re riding.
For this question, though, the answer is simple: on the road, go with traffic.
Why Direction Matters at Intersections
This is where the rules start to make more sense.
Imagine you’re driving down the road and preparing to turn left across a bike lane or sidewalk. You’re watching for cars coming toward you, checking the intersection, and looking for pedestrians who might be crossing.
Now imagine a bike or e-bike is coming toward you from the opposite direction on that sidewalk.
The rider may be completely visible once you look directly at them. But the problem is that you weren’t necessarily looking for them there. By the time you notice them, they’re already much closer than you expected.
That’s what makes direction so important. It’s not enough to be technically visible. You want to be somewhere drivers are likely to look, traveling in a way they can anticipate.
This is especially important with bikes, e-bikes, and electric scooters because they’re moving much faster than a person walking. A rider can cover the distance between “I see them” and “they’re in my path” surprisingly quickly.
And this isn’t about putting all the responsibility on the person riding or walking. Drivers have a responsibility to watch for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, too. But when you’re the one outside the car, you have less protection if something goes wrong. Following the rules and traveling in a predictable direction is one practical thing you can control.
That brings us back to the woman from the beginning. Watching her ride toward intersections in the opposite direction from traffic was what made me stop and think about this in the first place. She wasn’t doing anything that looked reckless. I was simply worried that a driver making a turn might not see her until it was too late.
Being in the right place isn’t just about following a rule. It’s about giving yourself the best chance of being seen.
The Goal Is to Be Seen
When you’re walking or riding alongside cars, you can’t control what a driver is paying attention to. You can control where you put yourself and which direction you’re traveling.
Following these basic rules helps put you where drivers are more likely to expect you. That doesn’t guarantee a driver will see you, but it gives them a better opportunity to notice you and react.
And that’s really what this is about. The goal isn’t just to know which side of the road you’re supposed to be on. It’s to give yourself the best chance of being seen before a close call becomes something much worse.
If you’ve been injured while walking, riding a bike, or using an electric scooter, we’re happy to talk through what happened and help you understand what may apply to your situation.