A 3-minute lesson from the Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Bicycles and motorcycles are small, easy to miss, and give their riders no protection. Many crashes happen because the driver never saw the motorcycle. Give two-wheelers extra space, extra looks and extra time.
Know the rule
A bicyclist on a roadway generally has the same right-of-way as a motor vehicle driver.
Bicyclists may ride in the center of the lane when necessary, such as when about to turn left or when the lane is too narrow to share side by side with a car.
Bicyclists may use all public roads except interstates and most freeways (limited access highways). Expect them riding either direction on sidewalks, shared-use paths and two-way separated bike lanes.
A bicycle's or motorcycle's small size lets it slip into your blind spot. Check before you pull out, change lanes, turn, back up, open your door, or go through an intersection.
You're following a motorcycle at 50 MPH on a dry road. The 4-second rule plus one extra second gives you 5 seconds. If it starts raining, double that distance.
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.
On what roads are bicyclists generally NOT allowed to ride?
Any two-lane road
Residential streets
Roads with a bike lane
Interstates and most freeways (limited access highways)
Answer: Interstates and most freeways (limited access highways)
Bicyclists are legally allowed on all public roads except interstates and most freeways.
