Sharing with two wheelers — Michigan Permit Test

Motorcycle, scooter, moped and bicycle riders are allowed to share a lane; pass them as you would any other vehicle, by moving into an adjacent lane when it is safe and legal.

Squeezing past a rider in the same lane leaves them no room to avoid a hazard.

Pass them as you would any other vehicle – when it is safe and legal to move over into an adjacent lane.

Intersections are among the highest-risk locations for crashes between vehicles and motorcycles, scooters and bicycles.

Drivers turning at intersections often fail to see a small vehicle coming.

Intersections are one of the highest risk locations for crashes between vehicles and motorcycles, scooters and bicycles.

Left turns present a higher risk for crashes with motorcycles and bicycles, because their smaller profile makes it easy to misjudge their speed and distance; assume they are closer than they appear.

A small vehicle looks farther away and slower than it really is.

Always assume motorcyclists and other small vehicles are closer than they appear and wait for them to pass before turning.

A fast-moving vehicle creates a lot of airflow, and its wind blast can startle or push a motorcyclist, scooter operator or bicyclist off balance.

A rider is light and exposed, and a gust from a passing car can tip them over.

Be mindful that your vehicle’s “wind blast” can startle or even push a motorcyclist, scooter

If a motorcycle or bicycle moves to one side of the lane, its rider turns to check traffic, or it begins to lean, the rider is likely planning to turn.

Riders signal with their body and position as much as with lights.

it is likely the rider is planning to turn.

Motorcyclists often slow by engine braking and downshifting, which does not turn on the brake lights, so keep extra space behind them, especially on city streets.

A motorcycle can slow down without any warning light.

To be safe, keep extra space between you and a motorcyclist, especially on city streets.

Before changing lanes, check whether a motorcyclist, scooter operator or bicyclist is in your blind spot or the space you plan to move into.

A small rider fits easily in a blind spot that would show a car.

Before changing lanes, check to see if a motorcyclist, scooter operator or bicyclist is in your blind spot or in the space where you plan to move.

Opening a vehicle door in the path of approaching traffic, including motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, is dangerous and illegal.

A rider who hits an opening door can be thrown into traffic.

Opening a vehicle door in the path of approaching traffic, including motorcycles, scooters and bicycles is dangerous and illegal.

The single headlight or taillight of a motorcycle, scooter, moped or bicycle can blend into the lights of other vehicles.

A single light is easy to lose among car lights, especially at night.

Look carefully because the single headlight or taillight on a motorcycle, scooter, moped or bicycle can blend into the lights of other vehicles.

How should you pass a motorcyclist?

Move into an adjacent lane when safe and legal. Squeezing past a rider in the same lane leaves them no room to avoid a hazard. What Every Driver Must Know, p.55: “Pass them as you would any other vehicle – when it is safe and legal to move over into an adjacent lane.”