Sharing the road with motorcycles — Alaska Permit Test

Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on public roadways as other drivers.

A driver who treats a motorcycle as less than a car takes its lane or its right-of-way.

Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on public roadways as other drivers.

Motorcycles are not easily identified in traffic, and even when drivers see them it is hard to judge how far away they are or how fast they are going.

A small machine looks farther off and slower than it is, so a driver pulls out into its path.

Even when drivers see them, many say it’s difficult to judge how far away motorcyclists are or how fast they are traveling.

Drivers turning left in front of oncoming motorcyclists cause a large percentage of car/cycle crashes, so look once, then again, and know the motorcycle's speed before turning left.

The driver turning left misses the small bike or misjudges its speed and turns across it.

Drivers turning left in front of oncoming motorcyclists cause a large percentage of car/cycle crashes.

Turn signals do not turn off automatically on most motorcycles, so before turning in front of a motorcyclist be sure the rider is actually turning.

A forgotten blinker makes a rider look like they will turn when they are coming straight into your path.

Turn signals do not turn off automatically on most motorcycles.

Give a motorcycle the same following distance as other vehicles.

Tailgating a rider distracts them from the road ahead, and a bike can stop faster than you expect.

The same four second following distance should be given to motorcyclists as given other vehicles.

Motorcycles need a full lane width like other vehicles; never move into the same lane with a motorcycle, even if the lane is wide and the rider is to one side.

Riders shift within the lane to see, be seen and dodge objects, and a car sharing the lane leaves them nowhere to go.

Never move into the same lane with a motorcycle, even if the lane is wide and the cyclist is riding to one side.

Allow more following distance for motorcyclists when the road surface is wet and slippery.

Wet roads make a bike unstable, and skilled riders slow down; you need room when they do.

Allow more following distance for motorcyclists when the road surface is wet and slippery.

Strong cross winds on wide open stretches of highway and bridges, and wind blasts from large trucks, can move a motorcycle out of its lane.

A gust can push a rider sideways in an instant, so a driver beside them must be ready.

Strong cross winds can move a motorcycle out of its lane of travel.

Road hazards such as gravel, debris, pavement seams, rain grooves, small animals and manhole covers may cause a motorcyclist to change speed or direction.

Something a car rolls over can throw a bike, so the rider swerves or brakes where a driver would not.

Road hazards, such as gravel, debris, pavement seams, rain grooves, small animals and even manhole covers, may cause the motorcyclist to change speed or direction.

At railroad grade crossings a motorcyclist usually slows down and rises off the seat, and may change direction to cross the tracks head on.

A rough crossing jolts a bike, and a rider who meets the rails at an angle can have a wheel caught.

Railroad grade crossings usually cause the motorcyclist to slow down and rise off the seat to help cushion the shock of a rough crossing.

Metal or grated bridges cause a motorcycle to wobble much more than a car; an experienced rider slows and moves to the center of the lane.

A rider fighting a wobble may slow or swerve suddenly, so a driver behind must leave room.

An experienced cyclist slows down and moves to the center of the lane to allow room for handling the uneven surface.

What rights does the Alaska manual say motorcyclists have on public roadways?

The same rights as other drivers. A driver who treats a motorcycle as less than a car takes its lane or its right-of-way. Alaska Driver Manual, p.51: “Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on public roadways as other drivers.”