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New Mexico driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Sharing the road with bicycles

A 2-minute lesson from the New Mexico 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
2 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
28, 29

Bicycles are vehicles. Bicycle drivers on the road have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of cars. Treat a bicycle as a legal, slow-moving vehicle, like a backhoe.

Motorists sharing the road with bicycles must:

  • Keep a safe distance when passing, trying for at least five feet
  • Give bicyclists extra time and space to merge and use turn lanes like other vehicles
  • Pass only when it is safe and legal
  • Treat the bicycle as a legal, slow-moving vehicle
Handbook p. 28 ↗
5 feet

Clearance to try for when passing a bicyclist

Handbook p. 28 ↗
Share the road (bicycle)
SHARE THE ROAD sign

Know the rule

Bicycles should usually stay on the right side of the road, but may legally take the whole lane by riding in its center when necessary.

Handbook p. 28 ↗

Bicyclists typically take the whole lane to:

  • Prepare for a left turn
  • Avoid being squeezed on a narrow street
  • Avoid hazards, grates and debris
Handbook p. 29 ↗

Know the rule

Don't make a sudden right turn after passing a bicyclist on your right. Slow down and merge behind the bicyclist before turning.

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Know the rule

Some bicyclists, especially young children, behave unexpectedly. Watch for sudden movements and lane changes.

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Put it into practice

A cyclist ahead moves to the center of a narrow lane to avoid a storm grate. That's legal. Slow down, stay behind, and pass only when it's safe and legal, giving at least five feet.

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.

About how much clearance should you try to give a bicyclist when passing?
  1. At least 5 feet
  2. At least 2 feet
  3. At least 3 feet
  4. At least 10 feet

Answer: At least 5 feet

Keep a safe distance when passing a bicyclist, trying for at least five feet.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
When are bicyclists legally allowed to take the whole traffic lane?
  1. Only on roads with sharrows
  2. Only when riding as fast as traffic
  3. To turn left or avoid a hazard
  4. Never, they must always stay right

Answer: To turn left or avoid a hazard

Bicyclists may take the whole lane to prepare for a left turn, avoid being squeezed, or avoid hazards.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
What should you do before turning right after passing a bicyclist?
  1. Honk to warn the bicyclist to stop
  2. Speed up to get ahead before turning
  3. Slow down and merge behind the bicyclist
  4. Turn immediately to clear the intersection first

Answer: Slow down and merge behind the bicyclist

Do not make a sudden right turn after passing a bicyclist — slow down and merge behind them first.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
What do bicycle drivers share with motorists in terms of legal treatment?
  1. The same rights and responsibilities
  2. Rights only on designated bike paths
  3. The rights of pedestrians, not drivers
  4. Fewer rights but the same responsibilities

Answer: The same rights and responsibilities

Bicycle drivers on roads have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of cars.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
You should try to give a bicyclist at least five feet of clearance when passing.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Keep a safe distance when passing a bicyclist, trying for at least five feet.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
A bicyclist ahead moves to the center of a narrow lane to avoid a storm drain. What should you do?
  1. Honk until they move right
  2. Slow down and pass only when safe
  3. Pass immediately in the same lane
  4. Pass them on the right shoulder

Answer: Slow down and pass only when safe

Bicyclists may take the whole lane to avoid hazards like grates and debris; give them room and a safe pass.

Handbook p. 28 ↗
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