Roadwise States Iowa Driving lessons Motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians Iowa driving lesson · Rural Roads, Night Driving & Sharing the Road
Motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians A 3-minute lesson from the Iowa 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 Rural Roads, Night Driving & Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 58 Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians have no protection in a crash. Look for them on purpose—especially at intersections, at driveways, and before every turn.
Sharing the road with motorcycles: Respect a motorcycle's space and its position in traffic Intersections are the most likely crash spots—know the motorcycle's speed before you turn or enter Motorcycle signals don't shut off automatically—know what the rider will do before moving into its path When passing, give the motorcycle a full lane; never crowd into its lane Watch for the unexpected and give motorcyclists their share of the road Handbook p. 58 ↗ 3–4 seconds Minimum following distance behind a motorcycle; stay further back when wet or slippery
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Know the rule
With only two wheels on the pavement, motorcycles may be very unstable when trying to stop quickly.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Know the rule
Before turning at intersections and driveways, scan for pedestrians, bicyclists, skaters, and people using wheelchairs or low-speed micromobility devices, and give them the right-of-way.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Know the rule
Never pass a vehicle that has stopped or is slowing for a pedestrian—you may not be able to see the pedestrian.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Know the rule
People riding bicycles have the right to be on the road and are often prohibited from riding on sidewalks.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Know the rule
To pass a bicyclist, completely change lanes, giving the bicyclist the entire lane. Don't return right until you can see the bicyclist(s) in your rearview mirror.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Know the rule
At night, watch for bicyclists' reflectors or lights. Watch for bicyclists coming from behind, especially before turning right.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Put it into practice
The car in the lane beside you stops at a mid-block crosswalk. Stop too—someone may be crossing in front of it where you can't see.
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 following distance should you maintain behind a motorcycle? At least 3 to 4 seconds At least 1 second At least 2 seconds No specific distance is needed Answer: At least 3 to 4 seconds
The manual recommends at least a 3- to 4-second following distance behind a motorcycle.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ When passing a bicyclist, what must a driver do? Slow down but stay in the same lane Change lanes completely Leave at least 3 feet in your lane Pass only if the cyclist waves you by Answer: Change lanes completely
Drivers must completely change lanes when passing a bicyclist, giving them the entire lane like any other vehicle.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ You see a vehicle ahead has stopped or is slowing for a pedestrian. What should you do? Pass carefully on the left Pass on the shoulder to get around it Never pass; a pedestrian may be hidden Only pass if you can see the whole crosswalk Answer: Never pass; a pedestrian may be hidden
Never pass a vehicle that has stopped or is slowing for a pedestrian, since you may not be able to see them.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Why should you watch closely for bicyclists before turning right at an intersection? They must stop for turning vehicles They may approach from behind, unseen They always ride on the sidewalk They signal less than drivers do Answer: They may approach from behind, unseen
Watch for bicyclists coming from behind, especially before turning right.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ How much space must a driver give when passing a motorcycle, compared to passing a car? Half a lane is sufficient No specific space is required A full lane, like any vehicle Only the width of the motorcycle itself Answer: A full lane, like any vehicle
When passing a motorcycle, allow a full lane, just as you would for any other vehicle.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Motorcycle turn signals always cancel automatically once the turn is complete, just like on a car. True False Answer: False
The manual notes motorcycle turn signals often do not cancel automatically, and riders sometimes forget to turn them off.
Handbook p. 58 ↗ Previous lesson Sharing the road with large trucks Next lesson Inclement weather, wet roads, and hydroplaning More in Rural Roads, Night Driving & Sharing the Road About the source Roadwise’s Iowa course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 58. 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
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