Sharing the Road with Pedestrians, Cyclists and Motorcyclists
Vulnerable road users
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists have little or no protection, so the driver carries most of the responsibility. Give them space and time. At zebra crossings, give way to pedestrians waiting or already crossing. At junctions, look specifically for motorcyclists and cyclists before turning, because their narrow profile hides them behind pillars and mirrors.
Pedestrians
Slow down near schools, markets, bus stops and residential streets. Children move unpredictably and cannot judge speed well. Elderly pedestrians and people with disabilities may need extra time. Never overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a crossing - it may be yielding to someone you cannot see.
Cyclists and motorcyclists
When overtaking a cyclist, leave generous clearance - at least a metre in town and more at higher speeds - and do not cut back in too soon. Check mirrors and blind spots before opening a car door, and open with the far hand to force a shoulder check (the "Dutch reach"). Give motorcyclists a full lane width; never share a lane with them. Look twice at junctions: one glance is not enough for a fast-approaching motorcycle.
Traps in questions
Questions test the blind spot and the door zone. The right answer is usually to slow and hang back rather than squeeze past. Another trap is assuming a cyclist will stay in a straight line - they may swerve around drains or potholes. A third: at a crossing, do not wave pedestrians across, because another driver may not have seen them.
Worked example
You are driving down a narrow street when a cyclist ahead swerves around a drain cover. Correct response: ease off, hold back at a safe distance, and overtake only when the road widens and you can leave at least a metre of clearance. Honking or passing close is dangerous and often illegal.