Bicyclists — Connecticut Permit Test

Bicycles are considered vehicles on the roadway and are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles.

A cyclist who rides like traffic is predictable. Treating them as something else is what makes a driver guess wrong.

Bicyclists are considered vehicles when used on roadways. They are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles.

When a lane is too narrow for a car and a bike side by side, the bicyclist takes the travel lane, driving in or near the center of it.

Hugging the edge of a narrow lane invites a squeeze past. Taking the lane is the cyclist refusing that squeeze.

when a lane is too narrow for cars and bikes to drive side-by-side, the bicyclist will “take the travel lane” which means driving in or near the center of the lane

When approaching or passing a bicyclist, slow down and pass only when you can leave a minimum of three feet between your vehicle and the bicycle.

A bicycle moves sideways with every pedal stroke and every gust. Three feet is the margin that absorbs it.

When approaching or passing a bicyclist slow down and pass only when you are able to give a minimum of three feet distance between your vehicle and the bicycle.

A driver about to make a right turn must not pass a bicyclist immediately before the turn.

Passing then turning across the bike is the classic right hook, and the cyclist has nowhere to go but under the car.

If you are about to make a right turn, you must not pass a bicyclist immediately before the turn.

You must yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist where a bicycle path or bike lane crosses a road.

The path crossing is where a rider arrives at road speed from somewhere a driver was not looking.

You must yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist when a bicycle path or bike lane intersects a road.

Fines are doubled for failing to yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist.

A failure to yield that costs a driver a dent costs a cyclist a hospital, and the fine reflects which one is at stake.

Fines are doubled for failure to yield right-of-way to a bicyclist.

Do not sound your horn close to a bicyclist unless you have good cause to warn them, because it may startle them into your path.

A rider who jumps at a horn moves sideways, and sideways is into the lane you are using to pass.

Sounding your horn to alert your presence may startle them and cause them to steer into your path and crash.

Never turn sharply in front of a bicyclist and do not force a bicyclist off the road.

A bike cannot brake or swerve the way a car can. A sudden turn in front of one leaves it nothing to do.

Never turn sharply in front of a bicyclist and do not force a bicyclist off the road.

In Connecticut a bicyclist under 16 years of age is required to wear a helmet.

The helmet rule follows the age at which a rider is most likely to fall and least likely to choose one.

You are required to wear a helmet if you are under 16 years of age.

You may not stop, park or drive on a designated bicycle path or lane, except to enter or leave an alley or driveway, on official duties, when directed by a police officer, or in an emergency.

A car in the bike lane sends the rider out into traffic to get around it, which is the risk the lane existed to remove.

Do not stop, park or drive on a designated bicycle path or lane unless you are entering or leaving an alley or driveway, performing official duties, directed by a police officer, or an emergency situation exists.

Before opening a door on a vehicle parked on the street, check to the sides and the rear for bicyclists.

A rider going past at fifteen miles an hour cannot stop for a door that opens a car length ahead of them.

When parked on the street, check to the sides and rear for bicyclists before you open your vehicle door.

What are bicycles considered when used on roadways?

Vehicles, following the same rules of the road. A cyclist who rides like traffic is predictable. Treating them as something else is what makes a driver guess wrong. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.17: “Bicyclists are considered vehicles when used on roadways. They are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles.”