Chapter 7 · Lesson 30 of 38
Sharing the road with bicycles
4 min read · Safe Vehicle Operation
Explanation
On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users.
- Passing: only with a safe amount of room — at least three feet — and no danger from oncoming traffic.
- Right of way: yield to a bicyclist just as you would to another vehicle.
- Bicyclists may ride no more than two abreast, except on paths or road areas reserved for bicycles.
- A bicyclist does not have to use a bike lane; they may use the bike lane or the travel lane.
- Turning: don’t turn across a bicyclist’s path. Turning left, wait for an oncoming cyclist to pass. Turning right, let a cyclist on your right go through first. In a shared left-turn lane, stay behind the cyclist until the turn is done.
- Doors: after parking, check for bicyclists before opening your door.
Example
You’re about to turn right at a corner when a cyclist rides up on your right, going straight. You wait for the cyclist to cross the intersection, then make your turn.
Common mistake
Squeezing past a cyclist with less than three feet because an oncoming car is coming. Slow down and wait until you can pass safely.
What the manual says
On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users.
Drivers may pass a bicyclist when there is a safe amount of room beside the bicyclist (minimum three feet) and when there is no danger from oncoming traffic
If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the cyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn
Sources
- Manual p. 52
“On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users.”
- Manual p. 52
“Drivers may pass a bicyclist when there is a safe amount of room beside the bicyclist (minimum three feet) and when there is no danger from oncoming traffic”
- Manual p. 52
“Drivers must yield the right of way to a bicyclist just as they would to another vehicle”
- Manual p. 52
“Bicyclists may not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles”
- Manual p. 52
“A bicyclist is not required to ride in a designated bike lane because the bicyclist has the right to use either the bike lane or the travel lane”
- Manual p. 53
“When a motorist is turning left and there is a bicyclist entering the intersection from the opposite direction, the driver should wait for the bicyclist to pass before making the turn”
- Manual p. 53
“If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the cyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn”
- Manual p. 53
“If a motorist is sharing the left turn lane with a bicyclist, stay behind the cyclist until he or she has safely completed the left turn”
- Manual p. 53
“After parking and before opening vehicle doors, a motorist should first check for bicyclists.”
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 3