The term road bicycle is used to describe bicycles built for traveling at speed on paved roads. There are many types of bicycles that are used on the roads including: BMX, recumbents, racing, touring and utility bicycles.

Dedicated road bicycles have drop handlebars and multiple gears, although there are single and fixed gear varieties. Road bikes also use narrow, high-pressure tires to decrease rolling resistance, and tend to be somewhat lighter than other types of bicycles. The major sub-categories of road bicycle racing include one day races, stage races, and time trials (individual & team), criteriums, ultra endurance racing,  hill climbing events, and gravel events. There are sometimes different types of riders in road races who also specialize in specific roles (sprinters, climbers, Domestique, Puncheur, and All-rouder).

Road racing has been recognized as an Olympic sport since 1896.