Jan Shelton

Jan Shelton, a bike club member who's been biking around town for 30 years, described Great Falls drivers as "not very friendly."

"I've even had a motorist open the door and tell me to get off the road," she said."But I'm not supposed to be on the sidewalk."

Montana law says that bicycles are vehicles, so cyclists should have the same rights and are subject to the same expectations as drivers of other vehicles.

Shelton is aware of the bike laws but doesn't believe many motorists are.

"It would be wise to have a billboard or something posting biking rules and regulations so motorists would be aware," she said.

When biking on roadways, cyclists are required to ride with the flow of traffic and as far to the right as possible, except when passing another vehicle or object or preparing for a left turn.On one-ways, cyclists can ride on the far left.

"They are to yield to the same kind of lights - red lights, caution (yellow) lights and green lights - and should signal left turn or right turn," Shelton said.

Shelton, the group exercise coordinator at Gold's Gym, said she posts a copy of the bike laws at the gym and directs cyclists to Great Falls Bicycle Club members for the rules of the road.