Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists

Key points

1. At 25 mph about 90% of pedestrians survive a crash; at 50 mph fewer than half do.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “about 90% survive at a collision speed of 25, mph, at a collision speed of 50 mph the number of survivors is less than 50%”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 43

2. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk; people may be crossing where you cannot see.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 43

3. Yield to all traffic, including non motorized users, on a protected route, and stop before the unmarked crosswalk if needed.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Yield to all traffic including non-motorized users traveling on the protected route. Stop in advance of the unmarked crosswalk if a stop is necessary.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

4. When leaving a roundabout, yield to pedestrians and bicyclists at the marked crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Yield to all pedestrians and bicyclists in the roundabout and those crossing at the marked crosswalk as you exit the roundabout.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

5. A bicycle is a vehicle; yield to bicyclists just as you would to another vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “You must yield the right-of-way to them just as you would to another vehicle. Remember a bicycle is a vehicle.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 44

6. Children under age nine lack the development to ride safely in traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “Youngsters under age nine lack the physical and mental development to interact safely in that environment”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 44

7. Motorcycles are under 4% of vehicles but involved in 11% of motor vehicle deaths.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “Motorcycles number less than 4% of the motor vehicle population in the U.S., yet they are involved in 11% of all motor vehicle deaths.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 46

8. Give motorcycles the same four second following distance as other vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “The same four second following distance should be given to motorcyclists as given other vehicles.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 47

9. Pedestrians should walk on the left side of the highway facing traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “Walk on the left side of the highway facing oncoming traffic.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 44

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alaska practice test

1. 1. At an uncontrolled intersection, what right-of-way protection does Alaska give a non-motorized user?

   1. The rule applies only inside a marked bicycle lane
   2. The user must always wait for every vehicle
   3. The user has priority only after waving to drivers
   4. The user has right-of-way over motorized vehicles
   Show answer

   The user has right-of-way over motorized vehicles. At an uncontrolled intersection, Alaska gives a non-motorized user the right-of-way through the crossing over motorized vehicles. A person walking or bicycling does not need to wave, stand in a special lane, or surrender priority to every approaching car. Drivers must slow, watch the crossing, and yield rather than treating the absence of traffic signals as permission to continue. The important cue is the word uncontrolled: the protection still applies where signs and lights do not direct the movement.

2. 2. When entering a protected route at an intersection, to whom must a driver yield?

   1. All traffic, including non-motorized users, traveling on the protected route
   2. Only motor vehicles traveling on the protected route
   3. Traffic approaching from behind the entering vehicle
   4. No one if the entering driver signals
   Show answer

   All traffic, including non-motorized users, traveling on the protected route. Alaska's intersection guidance requires a driver entering a protected route to yield to all traffic using that route, including people traveling without motor vehicles. The protection is broader than a vehicle-only rule, so a bicyclist or other non-motorized user must also be considered. Signaling does not create a right to enter, and traffic behind the driver is not the relevant conflict. Identify the protected route first, scan its full width, and proceed only after every road user with priority has cleared.

3. 3. When leaving a roundabout, to whom must a driver yield at the marked crosswalk?

   1. No one, because exiting traffic always has priority
   2. Only vehicles approaching from the left
   3. Pedestrians and bicyclists crossing there
   4. Only a pedestrian accompanied by a crossing guard
   Show answer

   Pedestrians and bicyclists crossing there. An exit from a roundabout can place a vehicle directly across a marked crosswalk, so the driver must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists using that crossing. The duty applies even when the vehicle has completed the circular portion and is turning onto the next street. A crossing guard is not required, and vehicle priority does not erase protection for people in the crosswalk. Scan the exit before accelerating, then continue only after the crossing path is clear.

Source: the Alaska Driver Manual, Sharing the Roadway. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.