Road cycling is the most widespread and popular form of bicycle riding. It is done on paved surfaces using a road bicycle. Many commuters and schoolchildren use bicycles in this way to avoid traffic, or for fitness reasons. When riding on the road, the rules of the road have to be followed, and the bicycle is required to be legal.

The level of fitness required to ride a bike often depends on the distance you are travelling, and the geography of the area (for example, short distances over flat land would suit a more relaxed rider, while hilly, long distances would require a lot more strength and stamina).

Road bicycle racing is a popular bicycle racing sport held on the road (following the geography of the area), using racing bicycles.

Though the objective of a race is quite simple (namely, to be the first rider to cross the line) a number of tactics can be employed to achieve this goal. Usually a rider or group of riders will try to break from the peloton (main body) by attacking and riding away to reduce the number of riders competing for the win. If the break doesn't succeed and the body of cyclists comes back together the winner will often be someone whose strength is explosively sprinting past the bunch to reach the line first.