Bicyclist driver care — South Dakota Permit Test

Avoid slowing down or stopping quickly near a bicyclist: a motor vehicle's brakes are more powerful than a bicycle's, and you could cause a crash.

A rider behind a car that stops hard cannot stop as fast and runs into its back.

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

Avoid sounding the horn close to bicyclists unless there is a chance of a crash; the horn may startle them and cause them to steer into your path.

A rider jumps at a sudden blast, the front wheel turns, and the bike falls into your lane.

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

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

A child on the sidewalk can roll off the curb at a driveway with no look and no warning.

Be especially careful if you see children riding bikes on the sidewalk.

Bicyclists are required to ride in the direction of traffic, but you should look for them riding anywhere on the roadway.

A rider coming the wrong way shows up where no driver looks, right as the car pulls out.

Although bicyclists are required to ride in the direction of traffic, you should look for them riding anywhere on the roadway.

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

A thin bike tire slides out on sand or a wet patch, and the rider falls right in front of your car.

Be particularly careful around bicyclists when the roadway is wet or covered with sand or gravel.

Bicyclists may be unable to signal if they need both hands on the handlebars; look for other clues, such as the rider turning the head or looking over a shoulder.

A rider who needs both hands on rough pavement may move over with no signal, right into a car that expected none.

Look for other clues of a bicyclist’s intent, such as turning his or her head or looking over his or her shoulder before changing lane position.

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

A door swung open in front of a passing rider stops the bike dead and throws the rider into traffic.

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

Why should you avoid stopping quickly with a bicyclist behind you?

Your brakes are stronger, so the bike may hit you. A rider behind a car that stops hard cannot stop as fast and runs into its back. South Dakota Driver License Manual, p.61: “A motor vehicle’s brakes are more powerful than a bicycle’s and you could cause a crash.”