Bike Safety Quiz #1
This is the first quiz of a three quiz series assessment designed to educate you on safe cycling practices and university policies related to cycling.
- 1.
Riding on the left hand side of the road (opposing traffic) is:
- A.
Safer than riding on the right hand side of the road (with traffic).
- B.
Never OK.
- C.
Permissible on two lane roads.
- D.
Permissible if your speed does not exceed that of surrounding traffic.
Correct Answer
B. Never OK.Explanation
It is NEVER OK to ride your bicycle opposing traffic. That means that you should NEVER ride your bicycle on the left hand side of the road. The only travel that is allowed to move against the flow of traffic is foot travel or walking. Riding on the left hand side of the road (opposing traffic) is the number one cause of bicycle/car collisions. If that was not reason enough, here is yet another reason to NOT ride your bicycle opposing traffic. Bicycles are legal vehicles and as such must obey all traffic laws. It is illegal for a motor vehicle to drive on the left hand side of the road against the flow of traffic. You can get a ticket riding on the left hand side of the road (opposing traffic). You would not believe the number of Blue Bike users that come in, go through this quiz, and still ride on the left hand side of the road. WE REPEAT, DO NOT RIDE AGAINST THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC!!!Rate this question:
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- 2.
Rolling through stop signs is ok if there is no other traffic at the intersection.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
It is NEVER OK to roll through stop signs. Cyclists will often justify rolling through a stop sign so they do not have to lose all of their momentum. However, this is a bad school of thought. You can never really see what is coming your way at an intersection unless you come to a full stop as the law dictates you do. It is unsafe and against the law if you roll through an intersection.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Riding on the sidewalk is safer than riding in the roadway.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The name gives this one away, sideWALK. These items of city infrastructure were intended for walking traffic. Riding your bicycle on the sideWALK is actually MORE dangerous than legally riding in the roadway. Cars do not expect objects faster than a pedestrian (person walking) to cross the street from sidewalks. It also puts you and the less predictable and more maneuverable pedestrian at risk of injury. The only time riding your bicycle on the sidewalk is considered permissible is when the rider(usually small children) does not know the laws that govern lawful use of the roadways. So, if you know vehicle law enough to drive a car DO NOT RIDE YOUR BICYCLE ON THE SIDEWALK.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Bicycles are legal vehicles and must therefore obey all traffic laws.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In the state of Utah and every other state in the nation, bicycles are recognized as legal vehicles and as such must obey all of the laws that there apply. Additionally, bicycles have all of the rights that other vehicles have on the roadway. This means that it is your legal right to be in the roadway.Rate this question:
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- 5.
When approaching an intersection, it is appropriate to:
- A.
Pass all vehicles on the right to position yourself at the beginning of the line of traffic.
- B.
Choose any lane position even if it does not serve your destination.
- C.
Position yourself at the right most side of the lane so cars can squeeze past you.
- D.
Hold your position in the line of traffic by taking the lane.
Correct Answer
D. Hold your position in the line of traffic by taking the lane.Explanation
You should NEVER pass vehicles on the right to get to the front of the line of traffic and you should never let cars SQUEEZE past you, ESPECIALLY AT AND THROUGH INTERSECTIONS! Though in some situations passing on the right may be a legal maneuver, the vehicles on the roadway do not expect this kind of behavior. TAKE YOUR TIME, TAKE THE LANE, AND WAIT YOUR TURN. In situations like these, vehicle traffic is slow enough for you to take the lane and still keep up with traffic until you get through the intersection, at which point you can reposition yourself on the right hand side of the roadway and allow faster traffic to pass you IF the lane is wide enough.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The general principle for selecting a lane is:
- A.
The lane which carries the least traffic.
- B.
The right hand lane.
- C.
The lane which carries the slowest traffic.
- D.
The rightmost lane that serves your destination.
Correct Answer
D. The rightmost lane that serves your destination.Explanation
Traffic law requires slower moving traffic to travel in the rightmost lane on the roadway. That same law applies to cycling. If you are traveling slower than the surrounding vehicle traffic, you must choose the rightmost lane. In choosing the rightmost lane, IT MUST STILL BE A LANE THAT SERVES YOUR DESTINATION. This means that if you are going straight through an intersection, you may not ride through the right turn lane. The right hand turn lane is certainly the rightmost lane, however, it does not SERVE YOUR DESTINATION which is straight ahead.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Cyclists fare best when they ______ and are ________ as drivers of vehicles.
- A.
Act, treated
- B.
Signal, maneuvering
- C.
Look, signaling
- D.
Turn, are allowed to turn
Correct Answer
A. Act, treatedExplanation
Traffic systems are give and take. The reason our traffic system works is because we all behave in a certain predictable way dictated by law and we are all treated in a predictable way dictated by law. When someone steps outside of predictability, accidents occur. For this reason, it is best and legal for bicyclists to act and be treated as drivers of vehicles. THIS LITTLE PHRASE, IF MEMORIZED, AND APPLIED WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IN EVERY TRAFFIC SITUATION. ACT LIKE A CAR DRIVER AND DEFENSIVELY EXPECT TO BE TREATED AS A CAR DRIVER. This principle is the key to this quiz. Ask yourself with every question, is this how I would behave if I were in a car? Then answer accordingly.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Cyclists who ride too close to the right hand side of the road:
- A.
Are susceptible to a motorist turning right, cutting them off at an intersection.
- B.
Are susceptible to car doors being opened into their path of travel.
- C.
Are often not visible to cars pulling out of side streets or driveways.
- D.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
D. All of the above.Explanation
One of the most dangerous places to ride a bicycle is to far to the right hand side of the road. There is so much on the side of a road that hides a cyclist from the view of other vehicles. Also, bikes are less maneuverable and quicker than pedestrian traffic so car doors opening in your path pose a serious safety issue. It is best to ride outside of the door zone deeper in the lane thereby making yourself much more visible to all traffic.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Cyclists who ride in the rain and snow are LESS likely to be involved in crashes.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Cyclists who ride in adverse weather conditions develop traffic awareness and handling skills that fair weather riders do not. These skills help cyclists to avoid crashes and collisions when they encounter them. Lesson learned: ride year round. You will be helping not only your physical prowess and your safety, but you'll also help prevent the pollutive outputs from motor vehicle use from being released into the air during the time of the year when we need it the most.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Safe cycling requires the use of:
- A.
A helmet.
- B.
Bright clothing.
- C.
Lights.
- D.
Eye protection.
- E.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
E. All of the above.Explanation
Safe cycling requires more than just one piece of safety or protective gear. It is the combination of a helmet, bright clothing, lights, and eye protection that will give you the best chance of staying safe out on the roads. Never be so confident in your ability to ride a bicycle that you neglect one of these areas.Rate this question:
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- 11.
By not obeying vehicle laws while riding a bicylce, you put ______ at risk of road rage and its consequences.
- A.
Yourself
- B.
Your family
- C.
Other cyclists
- D.
Motorists
- E.
All of the above
Correct Answer
E. All of the aboveExplanation
Most road rage begins when someone breaks vehicle laws. By not obeying all traffic laws on your bicycle you give this minority vehicle group a negative stigma with motor vehicles. The motorist may lose their patience in the moment, or may lose it later when your family is on the road. The consequences of road rage often last an entire lifetime. Therefore, anything you can do to avoid it is best.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Driving your bicycle in a predictable and visible manner:
- A.
Includes only maintaining a straight line of travel and following through with hand signals.
- B.
Includes only maintaining a straight line of travel.
- C.
Includes only wearing bright colors and lights.
- D.
Includes only following through with hand signals.
- E.
Includes maintaining a straight line of travel, following through with hand signals, wearing bright colors and lights, and by how you position yourself within a lane of traffic.
Correct Answer
E. Includes maintaining a straight line of travel, following through with hand signals, wearing bright colors and lights, and by how you position yourself within a lane of traffic.Explanation
When it comes to cycling, the best thing you can do is to operate your bicycle in a visible and predictable manner. Nothing else will improve your chances of a safe ride quite like the this principle. Being visible and predictable is not doing just one thing but a combination of items. You wouldn't sink your life savings into only one stock, you would diversify! Diversify what you do to stay visible and predictable!Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which of the following areas are PROHIBITED from locking your bike to at Utah State University (choose all that apply):
- A.
A tree
- B.
A lamp post
- C.
A railing
- D.
A bike rack
- E.
An ash tray
Correct Answer(s)
A. A tree
B. A lamp post
C. A railing
E. An ash trayExplanation
Fall Semester 2008 USU Risk Management assessed where bicycles were being parked and sent out a formal warning stating that any bikes not parked in designated bicycle parking (i.e. bike racks) were a detriment to those with special needs (i.e. visually impaired, physical disability) and were at risk of their bicycle being impounded.Rate this question:
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- 14.
How much does it cost if my bike has been impounded?
- A.
$10
- B.
$25
- C.
$40
- D.
$65
- E.
None of the above.
Correct Answer
B. $25Explanation
Bicycles are impounded by USU Public Safety. Their fee for getting a bicycle out of the impound is $25.00. Ouch!Rate this question:
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- 15.
When within 20 feet of a pedestrian on USU campus walkways, a bicycle may travel at a speed no faster than:
- A.
That of a pedestrian.
- B.
Two times that of the pedestrian.
- C.
Three times that of the pedestrian.
- D.
There is no limit.
- E.
You must walk when within 20 feet of a pedestrian.
Correct Answer
B. Two times that of the pedestrian.Explanation
Campus Walkway Policy states that when within twenty feet of a pedestrian, a bicycle is prohibited from riding faster than twice that of surrounding pedestrian traffic. Outside of twenty feet there is no limit for cyclists except where indicated by signage.Rate this question:
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- 16.
At Utah State University, cyclists are prohibited from riding on road-side sidewalks.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Bicycles are prohibited from all road-side sidewalks and or walkways. You may walk your bicycle on road-side sidewalks, but you may not ride it.Rate this question:
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- 17.
By not following Campus Walkway Policies, which of the following outcomes is possible?
- A.
Close calls and near misses
- B.
Injury and death
- C.
Tighter restrictions for cyclists
- D.
Negative association of cyclists
- E.
All of the above
Correct Answer
E. All of the aboveExplanation
You know,we thought this one was a gimmie and hopefully it was. We have all heard stories about close calls and near misses with cyclists. They in fact are often times published in the schools paper. The likely-hood of death is pretty low, however, not impossible. U of U in the late 90's had an incident where a cyclist collided with a pedestrian and the pedestrian was killed. True, it is a rare event, but still a possibility. The likely scenario is that the incident will result in injuries. Still not cool. Tighter restrictions are absolutely possible. In fact, before Aggie Blue Bikes was able to begin operation, some restrictive policies had to be eliminated to ensure the longevity of the program. Those same policies were put in place because cyclists could not conduct themselves within the realms of reason. Lastly,the more cyclists on the road that conduct themselves responsibly means less pollution, greater national security, better health, and the list goes on and on and on. Bicycles really are a good thing for society whether you believe it or not. Any behavior that negatively associates bicycles in peoples mind is a direct attack on the good that bicycles do in our society. In a nutshell (or soap box) please ride responsibly so good things can continue to happen in the realm of cycling.Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Feb 10, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Dec 01, 2009Quiz Created by
Gilbertgrape13
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