Know the road, share the road
Education is at the core of every change we make. From kids at a bike rodeo to drivers, commuters, and law enforcement — we want safety skills in the hands of every Montanan.
Montana safety tips, walking and riding.
The habits that prevent crashes — worth knowing whether you walk, ride, or drive.
If you're walking
Follow the rules
- Use the sidewalk. If there isn't one, walk facing traffic, as far to the left as you can.
- Obey pedestrian signals, and never step out in front of a vehicle that's too close to stop.
- Drivers must yield to you at intersections — marked crosswalk or not. Crossing mid-block, you yield to them.
Cross streets safely
- Cross at intersections when you can, signal your intent, and look before you step.
- Make eye contact with the driver — never assume they'll give you the right-of-way.
Be visible, stay alert
- At night, wear something reflective or carry a light so drivers can see you.
- Skip the phone, headphones, and alcohol — your ears and judgment are safety gear too.
If you're riding
Bicycles are vehicles
- In Montana, a bicycle is a legal vehicle — the same rights and the same responsibilities as a car.
- You may legally take the full lane, and you're not required to use a bike lane or shoulder.
Be predictable
- Use hand signals for every turn and lane change. Never weave in and out of traffic — and never ride against it.
- Riding slower than traffic? Keep right as far as is safe — clear of the door zone — except when turning or passing. Single file on two-lane roads.
- Obey every sign and signal, use turn lanes, and yield to people walking on sidewalks and in crosswalks.
Riding at night
- Montana law requires a front light, a rear reflector or light, and reflective material on your sides.
MT Trails Rx — a prescription to walk.
Your doctor writes you a prescription. It says: go for a walk.
MT Trails Rx is a partnership between Bike Walk Montana, Montana State Parks, local park departments, and clinics. Medical providers literally prescribe walking on local trails — with a prescription pad, patient brochures, and maps of nearby routes the patient can trust.
There's no cost to set the program up in your clinic — we just ask that clinics print their own materials and share feedback on how it's working.
Walking maps by town
Eleven Montana communities and counting — each map is a provider-ready handout.
Five minutes. That's the whole program.
A 5-minute walk, four to six times a day, adds up to a genuinely healthier lifestyle. Print the reminder sign and post it wherever your day happens.
- Once around the house or yard, morning and evening
- Once around the parking lot on your way in — and out
- Once around the office at your mid-morning and afternoon breaks
- At a rest area whenever you're traveling
For every age and every audience.
Wherever you are — a classroom, a campus, a workplace, or a patrol car — there's a track for you.
For adults
Printable best-practice guides, plus two national resources we recommend: the American Bicycling Education Association's CyclingSavvy courses (including a free online Essentials short course) and the League of American Bicyclists' rules of the road.
CyclingSavvy courses →For youth
Safety starts early — and it should be fun.
- Bike Rodeos — kids practice signaling, yielding, and riding visibly, on a real course
- Walking School Bus — kids and adult volunteers walk a set route to school together; we provide reflective gear while supplies last
For college students
Montana's two flagship campuses are nationally recognized Bicycle Friendly Universities — the University of Montana at Gold level (since 2013, with a semester Rent-A-Bike program) and Montana State at Bronze (since 2018, with bike valet at Bobcat games).
League of American Bicyclists →For communities
Grassroots change starts on your own block.
- Walk audits — walk your street, find the barriers (AARP's toolkit shows how)
- Pop-up traffic calming — test safer street designs for 7–30 days before they're permanent
- City-council presentations & workshops — tailored to your goal
At the workplace
Help your team commute safely — lunchtime talks, hands-on skills clinics, commuter encouragement programs, and workplace assessments. The League's commuter guide covers gear, theft prevention, and weather; their Bicycle Friendly Business program offers national recognition.
Commuter guide →For law enforcement
Why do cyclists ride where they do? The American Bicycling Education Association's video for officers explains common riding behaviors — and how they protect everyone on the road. Our actions out there affect all road users: we really are all in this together.
Watch the video →Bring a program to your town.
A bike rodeo for your school, Trails Rx for your clinic, a walk audit for your block — tell us what your community needs and we'll help you build it.