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Washington driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Sharing the road with bicyclists

A 3-minute lesson from the Washington 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
6
Source pages
102, 103, 104

Bicyclists have the same rights, duties, and responsibilities as drivers. Like motorcycles, bikes are small and hard to see, so riders are at high risk of serious injury. The magic number in Washington is 3 feet.

General rules around bicyclists:

  • When turning or entering a driveway, watch for bicyclists in the crosswalk or on the sidewalk
  • At intersections, yield to bicyclists as you would to a vehicle
  • You can't share a lane with a bicyclist; they may use the full lane
  • A bicyclist in a crosswalk is a pedestrian: yield in marked and unmarked crosswalks
Handbook p. 103 ↗
3 feet

Minimum space when driving behind a bicyclist, and between a bicyclist and your vehicle's widest part when passing

Handbook p. 103 ↗

Passing a bicyclist:

  • Don't pass until it's safe for you and the bicyclist
  • Two lanes your direction: move over one full lane
  • One lane each way: use the other lane only when there's no oncoming traffic
  • Never cross into oncoming traffic to pass
  • Pass slowly on the bicyclist's left
  • Be fully clear before returning to the lane
Handbook p. 103 ↗

Know the rule

If you're going to turn right, don't pass a bicyclist just before the turn. Let the bicyclist clear the intersection first.

Handbook p. 103 ↗

Know the rule

Remember the bicyclist may need to change position to avoid a hazard you can't see.

Handbook p. 103 ↗

Know the rule

Bike lanes are typically painted green with solid white lines and a bicycle symbol. Their markings vary in length, so drive as though they continue.

Handbook p. 104 ↗

Know the rule

Drive in a bicycle lane only when turning, or when crossing it to park near the curb.

Handbook p. 104 ↗

Know the rule

After you park and before you open your door, look carefully in all directions for bicyclists.

Handbook p. 104 ↗
Sharing the road with a bicyclist
Driver giving a bicyclist space

Put it into practice

You're on a two-lane road behind a cyclist and want to turn right at the next corner. Don't zip past and cut in front of them. Stay back at least 3 feet, let them clear the intersection, then 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 space must you leave when passing a bicyclist?
  1. At least 1 foot
  2. At least 5 feet
  3. At least 2 feet
  4. At least 3 feet

Answer: At least 3 feet

Leave at least 3 feet between the bicyclist and the widest part of your vehicle when passing.

Handbook p. 103 ↗
Can you share a travel lane side-by-side with a bicyclist?
  1. Yes, if you're going slowly
  2. Yes, if the bicyclist agrees
  3. No, bicyclists may use the full lane
  4. Yes, if the lane is wide

Answer: No, bicyclists may use the full lane

You cannot share a lane with a bicyclist; they may legally use the full lane.

Handbook p. 103 ↗
A bicyclist is riding through a marked crosswalk. How should you treat them?
  1. You may proceed if they're moving fast
  2. As a pedestrian, and yield to them
  3. As a vehicle with no special right-of-way
  4. You only need to slow slightly

Answer: As a pedestrian, and yield to them

Bicyclists in crosswalks are considered pedestrians, and you must yield to them.

Handbook p. 103 ↗
When are you allowed to drive within a marked bicycle lane?
  1. Only when turning or crossing it to park near the curb
  2. Anytime traffic is heavy
  3. Whenever the bike lane is empty
  4. Only during daylight hours

Answer: Only when turning or crossing it to park near the curb

You may drive in a bike lane only when turning or crossing it to park near the curb.

Handbook p. 104 ↗
At an intersection, you should yield to bicyclists just as you would to a vehicle.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

At intersections, yield to bicyclists the same way you would yield to a vehicle.

Handbook p. 103 ↗
You're about to turn right and a bicyclist is approaching from behind. What should you do?
  1. Honk to warn the bicyclist to slow down
  2. Pass the bicyclist right before the turn
  3. Let the bicyclist clear the intersection first
  4. Turn quickly ahead of the bicyclist to avoid delay

Answer: Let the bicyclist clear the intersection first

Let the bicyclist clear the intersection before you turn; don't pass them just before turning right.

Handbook p. 103 ↗
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