December 18, 2025 · 1 min read

Overtaking on the Right by Bike — Is It Legal?

The question of overtaking on the right stirs emotions among cyclists and drivers alike. The rules are not as clear-cut as they might seem — a lot depends on the situation on the road. This article describes Polish traffic law.

The general rule: overtake on the left

Under Article 24 of the Polish Road Traffic Act, overtaking takes place on the left. This is the basic rule for all road users, cyclists included. But there are exceptions to it.

When may a cyclist overtake on the right?

The rules allow overtaking on the right in two cases:

1. The vehicle signals that it is turning left — if the car in front of you has its left indicator on and is slowing down or stopping, you may pass it on the right.
2. Traffic in lanes — on a multi-lane road, when vehicles move in parallel lanes, you may pass on the right of a slower-moving lane.

Passing vs overtaking

An important distinction: passing (going around a stationary vehicle or an obstacle) is not the same as overtaking (going past a moving vehicle). Passing cars standing in a traffic jam on the right is allowed, as long as the cyclist does not put safety at risk.

Does a cyclist have to ride on the right?

Yes — a cyclist is obliged to ride as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway. This means they naturally move on the right side of motor vehicles. Riding past slow-moving or stationary cars in this situation is not "overtaking on the right", but normal riding in your own lane.

Safety first

• Watch out for the doors of parked cars opening — keep at least 1 m away.
• Do not ride into a driver's blind spot — especially that of lorries and buses turning right.
• Be especially careful at junctions — drivers may not expect a cyclist on their right.
• Signal your manoeuvres — an arm stretched out to the side is your "indicator".

You will find more about road rules for cyclists in the articles on riding on the pavement and riding side by side.

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