State has a Far Right as Practicable Requirement

Cyclists must ride as near the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing or slower vehicle, except where signs or pavement markings direct otherwise.

Allows Two Abreast Riding

Cyclists may ride no more than two abreast, except on bicycle trails, paths, or roadway sections set aside exclusively for bicycles.

Single File is Required

State law permits riding two abreast rather than requiring single file; riders going two abreast must not unduly impede traffic and must stay within a single lane on a laned roadway.

Has a Safe Passing Law

A driver passing a bicyclist must move left and keep a safe distance sufficient to avoid contact if the cyclist fell into the driving lane, and may cross the centerline to pass if the way is clear. The safe-distance requirement does not apply when passing in an adjacent bike lane, at 15 mph or less, or when passing on the cyclist's right as the cyclist turns left.

Helmets are required on the road

Bicycle riders and passengers age 15 and younger must wear a CPSC-compliant helmet secured with straps. Failure to wear one is not admissible as evidence of negligence in a civil case.

If Bike Lanes are present, they are required ( except when unsafe )

No Rhode Island statute requires a cyclist to use a bicycle lane when one is present. § 31-19-11 makes riding in a bicycle lane, route, or on a sidewalk optional, not mandatory.

Riders may use the sidewalks

A person may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk, bicycle lane, bicycle route, or across a crosswalk unless local traffic-control signs prohibit it. While doing so, the rider has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian, including yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians and giving an audible signal before passing one.

Does the Impeding Statute Apply to Bikes

Cyclists riding two abreast must not unduly impede the normal movement of traffic and must stay within a single lane on a laned roadway.

Whether cyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs (the "Idaho stop").

Rhode Island has not adopted a stop-as-yield ("Idaho Stop") law. Cyclists must obey stop signs and traffic signals the same as other vehicle operators.

Restrictions exist on e-bikes and usage

Rhode Island defines three classes of electric bicycles by motor behavior and top assisted speed (20 mph for Class 1/2, 28 mph for Class 3). The Department of Environmental Management may restrict Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes on state trails and paths under its jurisdiction, though Class 1 e-bikes must be allowed. Riders and passengers under 21 must wear a helmet.

Allows the concept of Contributory Negligence that allows any contributory fault resuls in 'no fault'

Rhode Island follows pure comparative negligence by statute. A plaintiff's own negligence never bars recovery outright; damages are simply reduced in proportion to the plaintiff's share of fault, no matter how large that share is.