Test Your Street Smarts: How Bicycle-savvy Are You?

1. You should always ride your bike

Against traffic (in the left lane)

With traffic (in the right lane)

It might make you feel more comfortable to be able to see oncoming traffic, but 20 percent of bicycle collisions result from cyclists riding the wrong way!

Explanation

It might make you feel more comfortable to be able to see oncoming traffic, but 20 percent of bicycle collisions result from cyclists riding the wrong way!

2. True or False: When it starts to rain you should hurry home to beat the worst of the weather.

True

False

When it starts to rain, the road is the most slippery because the rain spreads oil on the road. Try turning slower and use less lean. Also, realize that your brakes pads will take up to 10 times longer to work if they are wet.

Explanation

When it starts to rain, the road is the most slippery because the rain spreads oil on the road. Try turning slower and use less lean. Also, realize that your brakes pads will take up to 10 times longer to work if they are wet.

3. Illinois law says that in traffic no more than _________ cyclist(s) may ride side-by-side.

One

Two

Three

Four

If you ride next to someone, make sure you're not blocking cars or bikes that may want to pass you.

Explanation

If you ride next to someone, make sure you're not blocking cars or bikes that may want to pass you.

4. At a right turn on red or stop sign the law says you must:

Yield to oncoming traffic

Slow down

Stop

Look both ways

If you’re at a stop sign and a vehicle on the cross
street got there first, let it go through first. If you’re turning on red, yield to any vehicles coming at you in your lane.

Explanation

If you’re at a stop sign and a vehicle on the cross
street got there first, let it go through first. If you’re turning on red, yield to any vehicles coming at you in your lane.

5. True or False: It is illegal to ride a bike the wrong way down a one-way street.

True

False

Riding a bike the wrong way down a one-way street is indeed illegal. One-way streets are designed to ensure the safe flow of traffic in a specific direction, and riding a bike against the flow of traffic can cause confusion and increase the risk of accidents. It is important to follow traffic laws and ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic to ensure the safety of both the cyclist and other road users.

Explanation

Riding a bike the wrong way down a one-way street is indeed illegal. One-way streets are designed to ensure the safe flow of traffic in a specific direction, and riding a bike against the flow of traffic can cause confusion and increase the risk of accidents. It is important to follow traffic laws and ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic to ensure the safety of both the cyclist and other road users.

6. If you're the victim or witness in a collision:

Call 911

Get name, address, phone number, license and insurance information from the driver

Get the police report number from police

Write down how the crash happened and photograph any damaged clothes or equipment

All of the above

If you're hurt, don't try to shake it off -- take all of these precautions in case your injuries turn out to be worse than they initially seem!

Explanation

If you're hurt, don't try to shake it off -- take all of these precautions in case your injuries turn out to be worse than they initially seem!

7. According to Chicago law, you may only ride your bike on the sidewalk if:

You are 11 years old or younger or it's marked as a bike route

There is no designated bike lane

The sidewalk is wide enough to accommodate a cyclist and two pedestrians

Pigs fly. You can never legally bike on a sidewalk.

If you use a sidewalk, you should walk your bike.

Explanation

If you use a sidewalk, you should walk your bike.

8. At night, Illinois law requires:

Cyclists to wear bright or light colored clothing

A white front light visible from 500 feet

A back reflector or light visible from 100 to 600 feet

Both A and B

Both B and C

But, you should wear bright clothing at night since your upper body is at a motorist's eye level (though it's not required by law). Over half of cyclists killed get hit while riding without lights at night.

Explanation

But, you should wear bright clothing at night since your upper body is at a motorist's eye level (though it's not required by law). Over half of cyclists killed get hit while riding without lights at night.

9. True or False: It's safer to ride close to traffic and farther from the curb.

True

False

Riding closer to traffic keeps cars from passing you on the left and then turning right immediately in front of you. The closer to the curb you are the less visible you are to cars.

Explanation

Riding closer to traffic keeps cars from passing you on the left and then turning right immediately in front of you. The closer to the curb you are the less visible you are to cars.