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Arizona driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Sharing the road with bicycles

A 3-minute lesson from the Arizona course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
50

Bicyclists follow the same traffic laws as drivers and have the right-of-way under the same conditions. They're often hard to see and easily hurt, so give them room, don't startle them, and expect them to move left at times.

Know the rule

Bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as drivers of vehicles and have the right-of-way under the same conditions as motorists.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
3 ft

Minimum safe distance when passing a bicyclist traveling in the same direction

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

Don't honk at bicyclists when passing — it may startle them and cause a crash. At night, dim your headlights as a courtesy to bicyclists.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

A bicyclist may legally move left to:

  • Turn left
  • Avoid hazards
  • Pass pedestrians or vehicles
  • Ride where the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to travel safely side-by-side
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Important rules for bicyclists:

  • Ride in the same direction as traffic
  • Don't carry more persons than the bicycle is designed for
  • Don't ride more than two side-by-side
  • Ride as near to the right side of the road as practicable
  • Use proper hand signals
  • Don't bicycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol — it's illegal
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

At night a bicycle needs a white head lamp visible from 500 feet and a rear reflector. A flashing red rear beacon improves visibility.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
500 ft

Distance a bicycle's white head lamp must be visible at night

Handbook p. 50 ↗
Curve left
Bicycle warning sign
Bike lane
Bicycle lane marking

Put it into practice

You're behind a cyclist on a narrow two-lane road with oncoming traffic. Wait until you can pass with at least 3 feet of clearance — and don't honk as you go by.

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.

Do bicyclists have to obey the same traffic laws as drivers of vehicles?
  1. No, they follow pedestrian rules
  2. Yes, the same laws as drivers
  3. Only on roads with bike lanes
  4. Only when riding at night

Answer: Yes, the same laws as drivers

Bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as motorists and have the right-of-way under the same conditions.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
What minimum clearance must a motorist give when passing a bicyclist traveling in the same direction?
  1. 3 feet
  2. 2 feet
  3. 5 feet
  4. 1 foot

Answer: 3 feet

Motorists must allow a minimum safe distance of 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
Why is it unsafe to honk your horn at a bicyclist when passing?
  1. It is illegal within city limits
  2. It gives them the right-of-way
  3. Bicyclists cannot hear car horns
  4. It may startle them into a crash

Answer: It may startle them into a crash

Honking at a bicyclist while passing may startle them and cause a crash.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
Which of these is a legal reason for a bicyclist to move left on the road?
  1. To ride beside another cyclist
  2. The lane is too narrow to share safely
  3. To slow down traffic behind them
  4. To leave room for right-turning cars

Answer: The lane is too narrow to share safely

Bicyclists may move left when the lane is too narrow to safely share side-by-side with a motor vehicle, or to turn left, avoid hazards, or pass.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
How many bicyclists may legally ride side-by-side, at most?
  1. Two
  2. One only
  3. Three
  4. Four

Answer: Two

Bicyclists must not ride more than two side-by-side.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
Motorists should be alert for bicyclists because they are often difficult to see.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The handbook specifically notes bicyclists are often difficult to see, requiring extra caution.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
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