Bicyclists — Kentucky Permit Test

Bicycles are considered vehicles when on Kentucky roadways, and a bicyclist has the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as a driver.

A rider is not a guest on the road. They have the same standing as the car beside them.

Bicycles are considered vehicles when on roadways. Bicyclists are required and expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles.

A Kentucky driver yields right of way where a bicycle path or bike lane intersects a road.

The rider crossing has no metal around them, and the driver is the one who can see further.

Yield right of way when a bicycle path or bike lane intersects a road.

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

A car parked in a bike lane pushes every rider out into the traffic lane.

Do not stop, park, or drive on a designated bicycle path or lane unless you are entering or leaving an alley or driveway

A Kentucky driver should allow as much space as possible and slow down when approaching or passing a bicyclist, and should let a cyclist clear the intersection before turning.

Turning across a rider who is still in the intersection is the commonest way they are hit.

You should slow down and let the cyclist clear the intersection before making your turn.

A Kentucky driver should avoid slowing down or stopping quickly in front of a bicyclist, because a vehicle's brakes are more powerful than a bicycle's.

A bicycle cannot stop as fast as a car, so a sudden stop in front of one is a crash it cannot avoid.

A motor vehicle’s brakes are more powerful than a bicycle’s and you could cause a crash.

A Kentucky driver should avoid sounding the horn close to bicyclists unless there is a chance of a crash, because it may startle them into the driver's path.

A horn beside a rider can put them under the car it was meant to warn them about.

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

A Kentucky driver should be particularly careful around bicyclists when the roadway is wet or covered with sand or gravel, because those conditions affect bicycles much more than vehicles.

A loose surface that a car barely notices can put a bicycle on the ground.

These conditions affect bicycles much more than vehicles.

A Kentucky bicycle signal shall be given intermittently for the last fifty feet traveled before the turn.

The rider needs a hand back on the handlebars to turn, which is why the signal ends before the corner.

A signal is required for a vehicle (bicycle) that is not a motor vehicle and may be given by either hand signals, signal lamps, or mechanical signal devices. The signal shall be given intermittently for the last fifty (50) feet traveled by the vehicle before the turn.

A Kentucky driver parked on the street should check to the sides and rear for bicyclists before opening the vehicle door.

A door opened into a rider's path is one they cannot swerve around in time.

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

Kentucky recommends at least three feet of space when passing bicyclists, and the passing vehicle should move back into the right lane only when well clear of the bicyclist.

Pulling back in too soon takes the space away exactly where the rider still needs it.

At least three feet of space is recommended when passing bicyclists and the passing vehicles should move back into the right lane only when well clear of the bicyclist.

How does Kentucky treat bicycles on the roadway?

As vehicles, with the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. A rider is not a guest on the road. They have the same standing as the car beside them. Kentucky Driver Manual, p.60: “Bicycles are considered vehicles when on roadways. Bicyclists are required and expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles.”