Sharing the Road: Pedestrians, Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Large Vehicles
Sharing-the-road questions test whether you give pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and large vehicles the space and predictability they need.
Pedestrians and bicycles
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and to anyone using a cane or guide dog. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. When passing a bicycle, Kentucky requires at least three feet of clearance; if you cannot give three feet, wait until it is safe. Bicycles are vehicles: they may use the road, must follow traffic signals, and may ride two abreast in some conditions. Do not honk aggressively.
Motorcycles
A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane. Never share a lane with a motorcycle. Kentucky requires helmets for riders under 21 and for novice riders; regardless of the law, helmets reduce injury. Motorcycles are harder to see and stop faster than cars, so increase following distance.
Large vehicles
Trucks and buses have large blind spots - the No-Zone - on both sides, directly behind, and in front. A truck turning right may swing left first; do not squeeze into the space on its right. Large vehicles need much more distance to stop. When passing, do not cut in front; leave room for the truck's stopping distance.
Worked example
A tractor-trailer ahead signals right but moves left. Reasoning: the driver is setting up a wide right turn. Passing on the right is dangerous because the trailer will sweep back across that space. Hang back and let the truck complete the turn.
Traps
Treating bicycles as obstacles rather than vehicles; passing a cyclist with less than three feet; riding beside a motorcycle in the same lane; and assuming a truck's turn signal means it is turning immediately.