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Ohio driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Sharing the road with bicyclists

A 3-minute lesson from the Ohio 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
5
Source pages
38

On the road, a bicycle is a vehicle. Riders must follow the rules of the road — and drivers must give them space, especially when passing, because a small mistake is serious for someone on two wheels.

Know the rule

Bicycles are vehicles on roadways and must ride with, not against, traffic.

Handbook p. 38 ↗

Bicyclists must:

  • Obey all traffic signs, signals and pavement markings
  • Follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles
Handbook p. 38 ↗
3 feet

Minimum safety zone between a motor vehicle and a bicycle

Handbook p. 38 ↗
3-foot passing law (bicycles)
Give 3 feet, it's the law

As a driver:

  • Slow down when approaching or passing a bicyclist
  • Don't sound your horn close to a bicyclist
  • Pass a bicyclist only when it can be done safely
  • Don't turn sharply in front of a bicyclist or force one off the road
  • Take extra care when the road is wet or covered with sand or gravel
  • Check for bicyclists in your path before backing
Handbook p. 38 ↗

Know the rule

Wet roads, sand and gravel affect bicycles much more than motor vehicles.

Handbook p. 38 ↗

Know the rule

Learn bicycle hand signals. If a rider can't signal, watch for clues like turning the head or looking over the shoulder before changing lanes.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
Cyclists riding single file
Bicycle hand signals: left turn, stop/slow, right turn (left arm up), right turn (right arm)

Put it into practice

You're behind a cyclist on a narrow two-lane road and can't give 3 feet without crossing into oncoming traffic that's approaching. Slow down and wait behind the rider until you can pass safely with at least 3 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.

What is the minimum distance you must maintain when passing a bicyclist?
  1. 1 foot
  2. 6 feet
  3. 3 feet
  4. 10 feet

Answer: 3 feet

Maintain a safety zone of at least three feet between a motor vehicle and a bicycle.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
Are bicycles considered vehicles when riding on Ohio roadways?
  1. Yes, and they must follow the same rules of the road
  2. No, they follow pedestrian rules
  3. Only on roads without a bike lane
  4. Only during daylight hours

Answer: Yes, and they must follow the same rules of the road

Bicycles are considered vehicles on roadways and must follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
Why should you be extra careful around bicyclists on wet or gravel-covered roads?
  1. Bicycles have better traction than cars there
  2. These conditions affect bicycles more than motor vehicles
  3. Bicyclists must ride on the shoulder then
  4. It doesn't matter — road conditions affect all vehicles equally

Answer: These conditions affect bicycles more than motor vehicles

Wet or gravel roads affect bicycles much more than motor vehicles, so extra caution is needed around cyclists then.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
It's acceptable to sound your horn close to a bicyclist to alert them of your presence.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

The handbook advises avoiding sounding your horn close to a bicyclist.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
What should you check for before backing your vehicle, related to bicyclists?
  1. Only pedestrians, not bicyclists
  2. Bicyclists in your path
  3. Nothing extra is needed if mirrors are adjusted
  4. Only vehicles, not bicycles

Answer: Bicyclists in your path

Check for bicyclists in your path before backing your vehicle.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
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More in Sharing the Road

All Ohio lessons