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Hawaii driving lesson · Pedestrians, School Buses & Bicycles

Bicyclist rules and safety

A 3-minute lesson from the Hawaii 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
Pedestrians, School Buses & Bicycles
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
97, 98

When you ride a bicycle, you follow the same traffic laws as drivers and face the same penalties. The rules below cover where to ride, night equipment, sidewalks, and habits that keep you visible and predictable.

Know the rule

Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs, signals and other traffic regulations; violators are subject to the same penalties as drivers.

Handbook p. 98 ↗

Traffic rules for bicyclists:

  • Always ride with traffic, even for a short distance
  • When slower than traffic, ride as close to the right edge as practicable
  • On one-way roads, it's legal to ride on the left edge
  • Ride single file on the roadway; two abreast on a bike lane or path if it's wide enough
  • Follow lane markings – leave a right-turn-only lane if going straight
  • Don't carry passengers unless the bicycle is equipped for them
Handbook p. 98 ↗

You may move into the travelway when:

  • Making a left turn
  • Avoiding hazards in the road
  • Moving at the same speed as traffic
  • The lane is too narrow for a bike and car to share safely
Handbook p. 98 ↗
Motorcycle straight-through vs right-turn-only lane
Going straight? Move out of the right-turn-only lane

Know the rule

At night you must have a headlight and a rear reflector. A rear light, pedal reflectors and light-colored clothing are recommended.

Handbook p. 98 ↗

Know the rule

Bicycles may not ride on sidewalks in business districts. Elsewhere you may ride on sidewalks at 10 mph or less, always yielding to pedestrians.

Handbook p. 98 ↗
10 mph

Maximum sidewalk speed for bicyclists outside business districts

Handbook p. 98 ↗
3 feet

Space to leave between you and parked cars in case a door opens

Handbook p. 98 ↗

Safety tips:

  • Wear a helmet every time – not always legally required, but a good idea
  • Be predictable; don't weave in and out of parked cars or traffic
  • Look behind before turning left or moving into the travelway, and use hand signals
  • Don't wear headphones
  • Check brakes, seat, handlebars and tires before you ride
  • Wear bright clothes, and get a response from drivers so you know they see you
  • Don't pass vehicles on the right; take your place in line
Handbook p. 98 ↗

Know the rule

Turn left like a car (signal, move into the center of the lane when safe, and complete the turn), or like a pedestrian: ride to the crosswalk and walk the bike across.

Handbook p. 98 ↗

Put it into practice

You're riding downtown in a business district and traffic is heavy. You can't escape to the sidewalk there. Stay on the roadway near the right edge, ride single file, and signal before any lane move.

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.

Bicyclists are required to:
  1. ride on the sidewalk in business districts
  2. ride in the center of traffic lanes
  3. obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws
  4. follow pedestrian signals instead

Answer: obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws

Bicyclists must obey all applicable traffic signs, signals, and regulations.

Handbook p. 97 ↗
Bicyclists should generally ride:
  1. in the center of the lane at all times
  2. with traffic
  3. against traffic for visibility
  4. only on sidewalks

Answer: with traffic

Bicyclists should ride with traffic, near the right edge, when practicable.

Handbook p. 97 ↗
Bicyclists may move into the travel lane away from the right edge when:
  1. riding slower than other traffic
  2. riding with another cyclist
  3. the right edge is smooth and clear
  4. making a left turn

Answer: making a left turn

Bicyclists may move into the travelway to make a left turn, avoid hazards, keep pace with traffic, or when the lane is too narrow to share.

Handbook p. 98 ↗
On the roadway, bicyclists must generally ride:
  1. two abreast
  2. single file
  3. in the center of the lane
  4. in groups of three or more

Answer: single file

Single-file riding is the rule on roadways, except on a bike lane or path wide enough for two abreast.

Handbook p. 98 ↗
If riding at night, a bicycle must have:
  1. reflective clothing only
  2. a headlight and a rear reflector
  3. a rear light only
  4. pedal reflectors only

Answer: a headlight and a rear reflector

A headlight and rear reflector are required for night riding.

Handbook p. 98 ↗
In business districts, bicycles are:
  1. required to dismount at every corner
  2. required to ride on the sidewalk
  3. allowed to ride on the sidewalk at any speed
  4. not allowed to ride on the sidewalk

Answer: not allowed to ride on the sidewalk

Sidewalk riding is not allowed in business districts.

Handbook p. 98 ↗
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