<P> The New York State Legislature took the first step toward resolving the conflict, with the passage in 1887 of "An Act in Relation to the Use of Bicycles and Tricycles ." This statute established for the first time that bicycles are "carriages," and that cyclists are "entitled to the same rights and subject to the same restrictions" as drivers of carriages . </P> <P> A basic statement of cyclists' rights and responsibilities has been adopted in the vehicle codes of most American states, as well as in the Uniform Vehicle Code . It says that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as operators of automobiles, except where the law specifies otherwise or where it can naturally have no applicability . </P> <P> While there are no sections in the United States Constitution explicitly mentioning bicycles, bicycles are recognized as (non-motorized) vehicles nationally, and several states align bicycles with the same rights and privileges as horses and / or horse carriages, which may be limited from state to state and from city to city . Bicycles can, and in some cases do, generally travel on basic streets and highways . </P> <P> Cyclists' right to the road has also been enshrined in international law since 1968, with the accession of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic . Under that treaty, bicycles have the legal status of vehicles, and cyclists enjoy the legal status of vehicle operators . There are over 150 contracting parties to the treaty, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, almost all of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and China . In countries that are contracting parties, the treaty has the force of law, and its provisions have been incorporated into national law . </P>

Can you ride a bicycle on the highway