Test Your Bicycle Safety Knowledge.

1. When at a stop sign or red light you:

May roll through the intersection if it is safe.

Don't need to stop.

Must come to a complete stop.

At a stop sign or red light, you are legally required to come to a complete stop behind the line or crosswalk. Rolling through, even if it appears safe, is considered a traffic violation known as a "rolling stop." A full stop ensures safety for pedestrians and other vehicles and is necessary before proceeding or making a legal turn.

Explanation

At a stop sign or red light, you are legally required to come to a complete stop behind the line or crosswalk. Rolling through, even if it appears safe, is considered a traffic violation known as a "rolling stop." A full stop ensures safety for pedestrians and other vehicles and is necessary before proceeding or making a legal turn.

2. A bicycle helmet:

Can help protect children from head injuries.

Is required by the law for all bicyclists under the age 18.

Is recommended for adults as well as children.

All of the above are true.

All of the statements mentioned are true. A bicycle helmet can indeed help protect children from head injuries. It is also required by the law for all bicyclists under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Additionally, it is recommended for adults as well as children to wear helmets while riding a bicycle.

Explanation

All of the statements mentioned are true. A bicycle helmet can indeed help protect children from head injuries. It is also required by the law for all bicyclists under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Additionally, it is recommended for adults as well as children to wear helmets while riding a bicycle.

3. A headlight must be used on a bicycle:

At night

Never

At all times

A headlight must be used on a bicycle at night because it helps to improve visibility for the cyclist and other road users. It is important to have proper lighting to ensure safety and prevent accidents, especially in low light conditions. Using a headlight allows the cyclist to see the road ahead and be seen by other vehicles, reducing the risk of collisions. Therefore, it is necessary to use a headlight on a bicycle at night.

Explanation

A headlight must be used on a bicycle at night because it helps to improve visibility for the cyclist and other road users. It is important to have proper lighting to ensure safety and prevent accidents, especially in low light conditions. Using a headlight allows the cyclist to see the road ahead and be seen by other vehicles, reducing the risk of collisions. Therefore, it is necessary to use a headlight on a bicycle at night.

4. Riding against traffic on a two way street or against traffic on an one way street is:

Recommended

Illegal

Dangerous but your personal choice.

This is a very common and dangerous misconception, the proper and legal diection of travel while riding a bicycle is WITH the flow of traffic. See the Safety page for more information and clarifiation.

Explanation

This is a very common and dangerous misconception, the proper and legal diection of travel while riding a bicycle is WITH the flow of traffic. See the Safety page for more information and clarifiation.

5. A bicyclist under the California Vehicle Code:

Always has the right of way.

Has the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of vehicles.

Must always yield to other vehicles.

According to the California Vehicle Code, a bicyclist is considered to have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of vehicles. This means that they have the right to use the road and are subject to the same laws and regulations as other drivers. Bicyclists must follow traffic rules, signals, and yield when necessary, just like any other vehicle on the road. This ensures the safety and fair treatment of both bicyclists and motorists, promoting a harmonious coexistence on the road.

Explanation

According to the California Vehicle Code, a bicyclist is considered to have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of vehicles. This means that they have the right to use the road and are subject to the same laws and regulations as other drivers. Bicyclists must follow traffic rules, signals, and yield when necessary, just like any other vehicle on the road. This ensures the safety and fair treatment of both bicyclists and motorists, promoting a harmonious coexistence on the road.

6. A bicyclist should use hand signals:

When turning right or left.

To let motorists know your intentions.

At stop signs.

All of the above.

A bicyclist should use hand signals when turning right or left, as well as at stop signs, in order to let motorists know their intentions. By using hand signals, cyclists can communicate their actions to drivers, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting safer sharing of the road. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."

Explanation

A bicyclist should use hand signals when turning right or left, as well as at stop signs, in order to let motorists know their intentions. By using hand signals, cyclists can communicate their actions to drivers, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting safer sharing of the road. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."

7. A bicyclist should ride:

Ride far enough out in the lane to avoid the unexpected from parked cars.

Ride on the sidewalk when ever possible.

Ride in the middle the traffic lane.

It is important for a bicyclist to ride far enough out in the lane to avoid the unexpected from parked cars because parked cars can suddenly open their doors or pull out into the lane without warning. By riding further out in the lane, the bicyclist increases their visibility to drivers and reduces the risk of a collision with a parked car. Riding on the sidewalk is not recommended as it can be dangerous for both the bicyclist and pedestrians, and riding in the middle of the traffic lane can impede the flow of traffic and increase the risk of accidents.

Explanation

It is important for a bicyclist to ride far enough out in the lane to avoid the unexpected from parked cars because parked cars can suddenly open their doors or pull out into the lane without warning. By riding further out in the lane, the bicyclist increases their visibility to drivers and reduces the risk of a collision with a parked car. Riding on the sidewalk is not recommended as it can be dangerous for both the bicyclist and pedestrians, and riding in the middle of the traffic lane can impede the flow of traffic and increase the risk of accidents.

8. A bicyclist intending to go straight at an intersection that has a "right turn only" lane should be in:

The "right turn only" lane.

In the travel lane next to the "right turn only" lane.

Next to the curb.

A bicyclist intending to go straight at an intersection that has a "right turn only" lane should be in the travel lane next to the "right turn only" lane. This is because the bicyclist is not planning to make a right turn, so it would be incorrect to be in the "right turn only" lane. Being in the travel lane next to the "right turn only" lane allows the bicyclist to continue straight while staying clear of vehicles making right turns.

Explanation

A bicyclist intending to go straight at an intersection that has a "right turn only" lane should be in the travel lane next to the "right turn only" lane. This is because the bicyclist is not planning to make a right turn, so it would be incorrect to be in the "right turn only" lane. Being in the travel lane next to the "right turn only" lane allows the bicyclist to continue straight while staying clear of vehicles making right turns.