A 4-minute lesson from the Arkansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles. They're hard to see and riders are easily hurt, so expect sudden moves and give them room.
Know the rule
Bicycles must travel on the right-hand side of the road with other traffic, never facing oncoming traffic, and should ride as close to the right as is safe.
Cyclists passing parked cars move toward the center of the lane; that's proper riding. Give the cyclist the entire lane if possible; if not, pass with extreme caution.
In residential areas, bicyclists may ride in the middle of the street and ignore stop signs and signals. Children lack judgment about traffic; watch for bikes from driveways and behind parked cars.
On a narrow two-lane road you come up behind a cyclist while a car approaches from the other way. Slow down and stay behind the bike until the oncoming car passes, then pass the cyclist with plenty of room.
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.
Which side of the road should bicycles generally travel on?
The left-hand side, facing traffic
Either side, at the rider's choice
The center of the lane at all times
The right-hand side, with traffic
Answer: The right-hand side, with traffic
Bicycles are required to travel on the right-hand side of the road with the flow of traffic.
