Sharing with bicyclists — New Hampshire Permit Test

A driver should allow as much space as possible and slow down when approaching or passing a bicyclist.

Space and speed are the two things the driver controls, and a bicycle has neither to spare.

Allow as much space as possible and slow down when approaching or passing a bicyclist.

A driver should slow down and let a cyclist clear the intersection before making a turn.

Turning across a bicycle is the most common way drivers hit one, because the bicycle is where the mirror does not look.

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

A driver should avoid slowing down or stopping quickly near a bicyclist, because a motor vehicle’s brakes are more powerful than a bicycle’s.

The bicycle behind you cannot stop as fast as you can, and it has nothing to absorb the impact.

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

A 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 meant as a courtesy can put the cyclist under your wheels, which is the opposite of the intention.

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

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

A loose surface that barely changes how a car drives can put a bicycle on the ground.

Be particularly careful around bicyclists when the roadway is wet or covered with sand or gravel. These conditions affect bicycles much more than vehicles.

Bicyclists are required to use hand signals when turning and stopping, but may be unable to signal if conditions require both hands on the handlebars.

A cyclist who does not signal may not be careless, so a driver should look for other clues instead of assuming.

bicyclists may be unable to signal if road or traffic conditions require them to keep both hands on the handlebars.

A driver should look for other clues of a bicyclist’s intent, such as turning their head or looking over their shoulder before changing lane position.

A cyclist looks before they move, the same way a driver does, and that look is a signal a driver can read.

such as turning their head or looking over their shoulder before changing lane position.

When parked on the street a driver should check to the sides and rear for bicyclists before opening a door.

A door opened into a bike lane is a wall the cyclist cannot see coming and cannot get round.

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

A driver should watch carefully for bicyclists entering their lane, and be especially careful where children are riding on the sidewalk, because they may come onto the road.

A child on a bicycle has no sense of how long it takes a car to stop, and will ride into the road expecting it to.

Be especially careful if you see children riding bikes on the sidewalk. They may come onto the road.

A driver should avoid turning sharply in front of a bicyclist and must not force a bicyclist off the road.

A bicycle cannot brake or swerve the way a car can, so a sharp turn in front of one leaves it nowhere to go.

Avoid turning sharply in front of a bicyclist and do not force a bicyclist off the road.

What should a driver do when approaching or passing a bicyclist?

Allow as much space as possible and slow down. Space and speed are the two things the driver controls, and a bicycle has neither to spare. New Hampshire Driver's Manual, p.37: “Allow as much space as possible and slow down when approaching or passing a bicyclist.”