I've read that it was traditional in Europe for people to ride on the left side of the road until the French Revolution, when Napoleon changed it so people rode on the right (and his change spread across the continent). Is this true, and, if so, why did he change it?

by td4999

Patsastus

While you're waiting for a more specific answer, you might be interested in this older AskHistorians thread: When was driving on the left/right side of the road standardized in countries? How did it develop in the US?

I suspect the main source quoted in it, The Rule of the Road: An International Guide to History and Practice. by J. Peter Kincaid will have some specific information about the claim of Napoleon being the source of right-side driving, although it certainly seems like the reasons for right- or left-sided driving isn't boiled down to just "Napoleon".

The book's not available in e-book form that I can find, nor in any library near me, but perhaps /u/MrDowntown (or anyone else, of course) still has access to the book and can answer you more thoroughly.

Razakel

As a follow-up, I recall being told that people would ride on the left so they could draw a weapon if necessary (the majority of people being right-handed). Is there any truth to this or is it an urban legend?