Sharing the road with motorcycles and bicycles

VEHICLES: INTERACTING WITH BICYCLISTS

Bicyclists are legal users of the road. As such, they are entitled to the full use of a travel lane, although a bicyclist may choose to use the shoulder. When passing a bicycle, allow a minimum of three feet of space between your vehicle and the bicycle. Avoid turning across the path of a bicyclist. Most crashes involving a motor vehicle and an adult bicyclist happen when a motorist is turning left.

MOTORCYCLES AND MOPEDS ARE ENTITLED BY LAW TO A FULL TRAFFIC LANE

Crowding or cutting off cycles or mopeds when passing is not only breaking the law, it is also endangering human lives. Return to your lane only when you can see the headlights of the passed vehicles.

PEDESTRIANS: INTERACTING WITH VEHICLES

Make yourself more visible. Wear outer garments and shoes or boots with retro-reflective materials. Obey traffic signs and signals. Use designated crosswalks whenever possible. Before stepping into a roadway; look left—look right—look left again.

ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE RIDE MOTORCYCLES

Many motorcyclists wonder why some people drive their vehicles as if cyclists are annoyances. Really, cyclists and motorists are not that different. Check out your friends, relatives, and neighbors. More of them have taken to riding motorcycles than ever before. There are many good reasons to ride a motorcycle. For many riders, the main reason is pure pleasure. But motorcycles also get great gas mileage and take up less space in urban areas, helping to relieve congestion just a bit. Many motorcycle crashes could be avoided if other vehicle drivers watched more carefully for motorcycles and gave them equal rights on the road. When a crash occurs, motorcycle and moped riders rarely escape injury. Too often, they are killed. Remember to watch for motorcycles and mopeds— we all need to share the road.

CYCLE RIDERS FACE HAZARDS THAT WOULD NOT AFFECT FOUR-WHEELED VEHICLES

Railroad crossings, potholes and other places where the smoothness of the road is affected have to be ridden over with care. Drivers behind motorcycles should be prepared to let them slow down and change lane positions sufficiently for maximum safety.

Which of the following actions cause drivers to take out motorcyclists?

a. Sudden lane changes. b. Not signaling turns. c. Not looking for motorcyclists. (d.) All of the above.

Which of the following attributes makes motorcycles hard to see sometimes?

a. They are smaller than cars. b. They blend in with the background. c. They can be hidden by vehicles. (d.) All of the above.

True or False: Motorcycles are not entitled to a full parking space.

a. True. (b.) False.

True or False: Bicyclists are entitled to a full traffic lane.

(a.) True. b. False.

ALL DRIVERS, INCLUDING THOSE ON MOTORCYCLES AND MOPEDS HAVE... EQUAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- At intersections - To parking spaces - When turning - In traffic - For following distances

DO NOT "TAILGATE" A MOTORCYCLE OR MOPED.

A "four-second" following distance rule is recommended. Note when the cycle passes a stationary object or mark on the highway. If your vehicle passes the same mark before you have counted "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three, one-thousand-four," you are following too close for safety. Do not use high beams when following any vehicle, including motorcycles and mopeds.

VEHICLES: INTERACTING WITH PEDESTRIANS

Look for and yield to pedestrians wherever they may be... especially children. Stop at least ten feet away from pedestrians using a white cane or seeing eye dog. Wait until pedestrians are safely off the roadway or out of the crosswalk on your side of the road before you proceed. Be especially watchful for children. Because they are small, you are less apt to easily spot them. And, because they are not yet able to judge distance, speed and/or be mindful of danger, exercise extreme caution in areas where children are apt to be present. Always be prepared to stop quickly, should a child dart out in front of your vehicle.

MOST MOTORCYCLE AND MOPED CRASHES OCCUR WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER TURNS IN FRONT OF THEM

Look for cycles and mopeds before turning. Then look again. Use turn signals to warn cyclists before turning. Use extra caution when entering a major thoroughfare from a side street, driveway or parking lot. Although motorcycles have shorter stopping distances than cars, an inexperienced rider may panic and skid if you turn in front of him or her. When changing lanes, make a visual check for motorcycles in addition to looking in your rear-view mirror. The motorcycle's size allows it to easily tuck into your blind spots and become invisible.

BICYCLISTS: INTERACTING WITH VEHICLES

Obey all traffic controls, the same as any other mode of transportation. Stop signs and traffic lights are for bicyclists, too. Travel in the same direction as motor vehicles. Riding the wrong way is associated with 25-30% of all crashes between a bicycle and a motor vehicle. Wear a helmet... and wear it correctly. It should be level on your head and strapped snugly. Make yourself more visible. Wear clothing with retro-reflective material. Put reflectors on your bicycle. Use lights on your bicycle everywhere you ride at twilight or when it is dark, or in inclement weather.

MOTORCYCLES AND MOPEDS ARE LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES, AND ARE ENTITLED TO A FULL PARKING SPACE

Up to three motorcycles can be parked in a single space. Mopeds may be parked on sidewalks where permitted, if they do not interfere with pedestrian traffic.

SIZE DOES NOT DICTATE WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO GO FIRST

When stopped at intersections, double-check traffic before proceeding. Take a second look specifically for motorcycles and mopeds before pulling out.

What is the minimum amount of space should you leave between your vehicle and a bicycle when passing it?

a. 1 foot. b. 2 feet. (c.) 3 feet. d. ½ of a lane.

What is the average time your eyes are off the road while sending a text message?

a. 3 seconds. b. 4 seconds. (c.) 5 seconds. d. 2 seconds.

What does SEE stand for in the video?

a. Search Every time Everywhere. b. Stop Evaluate Execute. (c.) Search Evaluate Execute. d. Stop Every time Everywhere.

When do most motorcycle and moped crashes occur?

a. When cars rear-end them. b. When they rear-end cars. (c.) When cars turn in front of them. d. All of the above.

At what point should you continue moving when letting a pedestrian cross the street?

a. When the pedestrian is no longer in front of your car. b. When the pedestrian is almost at the other side of the street. (c.) When the pedestrian is completely off of the road. d. Any of these is acceptable.

Where should you allow more following distance behind a motorcycle or moped?

a. When you are approaching a railroad crossing. b. When there are potholes. c. When the roadway isn't very smooth. (d.) All of the above.