Sharing the Road

Study questions with answers

12 sample Sharing the Road questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. What is a disadvantage of riding in the left portion of your lane?

   Correct answer: It puts you closer to oncoming traffic and wind blasts

   Riding in the left position places you closer to oncoming traffic and can expose you to wind blasts from oncoming vehicles and trucks.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Lane Position

2. 2. If a driver is following you too closely (tailgating), what should you avoid doing?

   Correct answer: Speeding up to get away from them

   Resist the urge to speed up, because that usually just prompts the tailgater to speed up too and can trap you between vehicles.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Being Followed

3. 3. What is one advantage of riding in the left portion of your lane?

   Correct answer: It may let you see around the vehicle ahead and be seen better

   The left lane position can help you see around the vehicle ahead and helps other drivers, including the one ahead, notice you.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Lane Position

4. 4. What is the most common thing drivers say after a collision with a motorcyclist?

   Correct answer: That they never saw the motorcycle

   The most frequent comment from drivers after such crashes is that they did not see the motorcycle.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Visibility

5. 5. How does a three-wheeler's size affect its lane-position choices compared with a two-wheeler?

   Correct answer: Three-wheelers are more limited in lane position because of their size

   Because of their larger size, most three-wheelers have more limited lane-position choices than two-wheelers, though small shifts still help.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Lane Position

6. 6. When a group encounters curves or areas of limited visibility, which formation should riders switch to?

   Correct answer: Single-file formation

   In curves or where visibility is limited, bikes should move into single-file formation so each rider can use full lane positioning.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Staggered Formation

7. 7. What should you do about other vehicles' blind spots?

   Correct answer: Recognize and move out of them

   Recognize where other vehicles' blind spots are and move out of them so drivers can see you.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Being Visible

8. 8. Before changing lanes, in addition to using your mirrors, what should you do to check your blind spot?

   Correct answer: Check over your shoulder for vehicles in the blind spot

   Glance over your shoulder to make sure your blind spot is clear of any vehicle before moving into another lane.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Changing Lanes

9. 9. What does the manual advise for newer riders when it comes to group riding?

   Correct answer: Gain experience before joining a group ride

   Less-experienced riders are better off building up seat time on their own before joining group rides, which add stress and distraction.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Group Riding

10. 10. When you are being followed too closely, how can gradually slowing down help you?

    Correct answer: It opens up space ahead as an escape path and more reaction time

    Slowing down opens up more space ahead, creating an escape path and giving you more time to react to hazards.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Being Followed

11. 11. What does 'ride your own ride' mean when you are part of a group?

    Correct answer: Make your own safety choices and don't compromise them to keep up

    You remain responsible for your own safety even while riding in a group, so adjust your position or speed as needed and never gamble your safety to stay with the pack.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Ride Your Own Ride

12. 12. What mindset does the manual recommend a rider adopt about being seen by other drivers?

    Correct answer: Assume you are invisible and that others cannot see you

    Ride as though you are invisible, assuming other road users cannot see you, and take responsibility for being seen.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Create Your Own Safety by Taking Responsibility