Roadwise States Alaska Driving lessons Bicycles Alaska driving lesson · Sharing the Road
Bicycles A 3-minute lesson from the Alaska course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 49, 50 A bicycle is a vehicle. Cyclists have the right to share the road and ride in the same direction as cars, but they're hard to see and have no protection in a crash. Drivers must yield to them just like any other vehicle.
Know the rule
Bicyclists have the right to share the road and travel in the same direction as motor vehicles. Yield the right-of-way to them as you would to another vehicle.
Handbook p. 49 ↗ Know the rule
Check your blind spots before you turn, parallel park, open a door, or leave a curb. Don't rely only on mirrors; turn your head to look for bicyclists.
Handbook p. 49 ↗ Under 9 Age at which children lack the physical and mental development to ride safely in traffic, so take extra care near kids on bikes
Handbook p. 49 ↗ Know the rule
Bicyclists must obey traffic signs, signals and all other traffic laws; bicycles follow the rules of the road under 13 AAC 02.385.
Handbook p. 50 ↗ Know the rule
No points are assessed for traffic violations committed on a bicycle (AS 28.15.231(b)).
Handbook p. 50 ↗ Bicycle hand signals: left turn, right turn, slow/stop Bicycle safety tips: Always wear a helmet and obey all traffic controls Ride near the right-hand edge of the road Never carry another person on your bicycle Always use hand signals for turns, lane changes and stops Watch for cars at cross streets, driveways and parking places Don't swerve when looking over your shoulder Give pedestrians the right-of-way; keep your bike in good condition Stay out of vehicles' blind spots; don't pass vehicles turning toward your side Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them, even with the right-of-way Handbook p. 50 ↗ Know the rule
If you wear headphones while biking, always keep one earbud out so you can hear shouts, horns, dogs and car doors opening.
Handbook p. 50 ↗ Put it into practice
You're about to open your door after parallel parking on a busy street. First turn your head and look back for bicyclists; mirrors can miss a rider approaching next to your car.
A useful reminder Bike violations don't put points on your license, but cyclists must still obey every traffic law.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is a bicycle legally considered, according to the handbook? A pedestrian A vehicle Exempt from traffic signals A recreational device Answer: A vehicle
The handbook states a bicycle is a vehicle.
Handbook p. 49 ↗ Are bicyclists assessed points on their driving record for bicycle traffic violations? Yes, the same as a motor vehicle violation Yes, but only for riders under 18 No, no points are assessed Only for repeat violations Answer: No, no points are assessed
AS 28.15.231(b) states no points are assessed for violations while riding a bicycle.
Handbook p. 50 ↗ Which hand signal indicates a bicyclist's left turn? Right arm extended straight out to the right Left arm extended and bent up at the elbow Right arm bent down at the elbow Left arm extended straight out to the left Answer: Left arm extended straight out to the left
A left turn signal is the left arm extended straight out to the left.
Handbook p. 50 ↗ Where should bicyclists generally ride on the roadway? Near the right-hand edge of the road In the center of the travel lane at all times On the left side, facing traffic On the sidewalk whenever available Answer: Near the right-hand edge of the road
Bicyclists should ride near the right-hand edge of the road.
Handbook p. 50 ↗ What must a driver do before opening a car door, turning, or leaving a curb, regarding bicyclists? Rely on mirrors alone Check blind spots and turn your head to look Sound the horn instead of checking Assume no bicyclist is nearby Answer: Check blind spots and turn your head to look
Drivers must check blind spots and turn their head to look for bicyclists before these actions.
Handbook p. 49 ↗ What age group does the handbook say lacks the physical and mental development to interact safely in traffic while biking? Children under age five Teenagers under 16 Children under age nine Adults over 65 Answer: Children under age nine
The handbook notes youngsters under age nine lack the development to interact safely with traffic.
Handbook p. 49 ↗ Previous lesson Pedestrians Next lesson Motorcycles About the source Roadwise’s Alaska course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 49, 50. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Alaska’s DMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.
