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Rhode Island driving lesson · Motorcycles

Sharing the Road with Motorcycles

A 3-minute lesson from the Rhode Island 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
Motorcycles
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
48

Motorcycles are small, quick and easy to miss. Many crashes happen because a driver simply didn't see the rider or misjudged the bike's speed and distance. Look twice, give extra room, and predict what a rider might do.

4 seconds

Minimum following distance behind a motorcycle

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

Riders often slow by downshifting or rolling off the throttle, which doesn't turn on the brake light. At intersections, predict a rider may slow with no visual warning.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Why motorcycles are hard to judge:

  • Being less visible, they may seem to move faster than they really are
  • Being small, they look farther away than they are—assume closer
  • They hide easily behind door posts, mirrors, passengers, bushes, fences, bridges
  • Drivers expect cars and trucks and may not 'see' a motorcycle
  • At night a single headlight or taillight blends into other traffic
  • Black leather, the most protective gear, is the least visible color at night
Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

Riders shift within the lane to be seen, to avoid wind, debris and passing vehicles, and for a better line of sight. Be ready for a rider to swerve around a pothole or low manhole cover.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

A motorcycle's stopping distance is nearly the same as a car's, but slippery pavement makes quick stops difficult—so leave more following distance.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

Motorcycle mirrors are small and usually convex, so you look farther back than you are. Keep at least a four-second cushion.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

A motorcycle maneuvers well only at slower speeds and on good roads. A passenger makes balance harder, increases stopping distance and reduces maneuverability—predict more risk with two riders, especially near intersections.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Habits that protect riders:

  • Look twice before lane changes or turns at intersections
  • Do a visual head check left and right before passing or changing lanes—riders may travel in groups
  • Flash your brake lights a couple of times at night before stopping
  • Give extra time when passing older motorcycles, which lack self-cancelling turn signals
  • Watch for the growing number of bicycles, scooters and three-wheelers
Handbook p. 48 ↗

Put it into practice

You're turning left and see a single headlight far ahead. It could be a motorcycle closer than it looks and moving faster than it seems. Wait for it to pass before you turn.

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.

How much following distance should you allow behind a motorcycle, compared to the standard 3-second rule for cars?
  1. 4 seconds
  2. 2 seconds
  3. 3 seconds, the same as a car
  4. 6 seconds

Answer: 4 seconds

Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle, about 4 seconds, since it may not brake as predictably as a car.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
Why might a motorcycle appear to be moving faster than it really is?
  1. Because motorcycle engines are louder than cars
  2. Because motorcycles are less visible
  3. Because motorcycle mirrors are small and convex
  4. Because motorcycles accelerate faster than cars

Answer: Because motorcycles are less visible

The handbook says that because motorcycles are less visible, they may appear to be moving faster than they really are.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
Why do motorcyclists often adjust their position within a lane?
  1. Because Rhode Island law requires it of every rider
  2. To block cars from passing them
  3. To be seen more easily and reduce wind or debris effects
  4. Because their brakes work better near the lane edge

Answer: To be seen more easily and reduce wind or debris effects

Motorcyclists adjust lane position for safety, visibility, and to minimize wind, debris, and passing-vehicle effects.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
Why does a motorcyclist's brake light sometimes fail to warn you they are slowing down?
  1. Motorcycle brake lights are much dimmer than car brake lights
  2. Motorcycles are not required to have brake lights
  3. Motorcyclists usually coast in neutral
  4. They often slow by downshifting or rolling off the throttle instead of braking

Answer: They often slow by downshifting or rolling off the throttle instead of braking

Motorcyclists often reduce speed by downshifting or rolling off the throttle, which doesn't activate the brake light.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
What effect does carrying a passenger have on a motorcyclist's driving performance?
  1. It increases stopping distance and reduces maneuverability
  2. It has no measurable effect on handling
  3. It improves the motorcycle's braking distance
  4. It mainly affects acceleration, not braking

Answer: It increases stopping distance and reduces maneuverability

Carrying a passenger increases stopping distance, complicates balance, and reduces maneuverability for a motorcyclist.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
Why should drivers 'look twice' for motorcycles, especially at intersections?
  1. Because motorcycles are exempt from right-of-way rules
  2. Because motorcycle headlights are dimmer than car headlights
  3. Because drivers may not 'see' them among many more cars
  4. Because motorcycles must ride in the left part of the lane

Answer: Because drivers may not 'see' them among many more cars

There are far more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, so drivers may not expect or 'see' one; look twice.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
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