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Lesson 23 of 26 · Section 10: Sharing the Road

Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and large vehicles

Everyone has a right to the road, and the most vulnerable users need extra care. Maine sets exact rules for passing bicycles and staying clear of large vehicles.

Topic
Safe driving
Key points
10
Numbers
8
Manual
Handbook pp. 10-1 to 10-7
What you must know

Key points

  1. Yield to all pedestrians even if the traffic light is green.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-1
    “Yield to all pedestrians even if the traffic light is green.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-1

  2. There are nearly 900,000 bicycles in Maine, and most riding is on the roads.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-1
    “There are nearly 900,000 bicycles in Maine and most bicycling is done on the roadways of Maine.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-1

  3. Leave at least 3 feet between your vehicle and a bicyclist as you pass.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-2
    “Leave at least three feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist as you overtake them.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-2

  4. Everyone under 16 riding a bicycle must wear a helmet.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-4
    “All persons under 16 years of age riding on bicycles are required to wear helmets”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-4

  5. When following a motorcycle, stay at least 4 seconds back.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-5
    “When following a motorcycle, stay at least 4 seconds back.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-5

  6. Motorcycles are nearly 10% of vehicle deaths though only 4% of vehicles.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-5
    “they are involved in nearly 10% of all motor vehicle deaths, although they make up only 4% of the vehicles on the road.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-5

  7. Over 250,000 crashes a year occur between cars and large vehicles.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-5
    “Over 250,000 crashes occur between cars and large vehicles each year.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-5

  8. A loaded truck at 55 mph needs at least 335 feet to stop.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-7
    “A loaded truck at 55 mph takes at least 335 feet to stop.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-7

  9. Large vehicles have blind spots up to 200 feet behind them.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-7
    “Large vehicles have huge blind spots-up to 200 feet behind them.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-7

  10. If you cannot see the truck driver's face in the side mirror, the driver cannot see you.

    Source: Handbook p. 10-7
    “If you cannot see a driver's face in the side view mirror, they cannot see you.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 10-7
Exact figures

Numbers to know

NumberWhat it meansManual
900,000bicycles in MaineHandbook p. 10-1
3 feetminimum passing space for a bicyclistHandbook p. 10-2
16bicycle riders under this age must wear helmetsHandbook p. 10-4
4 secondsfollowing distance behind a motorcycleHandbook p. 10-5
10% and 4%motorcycles' share of deaths and of vehiclesHandbook p. 10-5
250,000crashes a year between cars and large vehiclesHandbook p. 10-5
335 feet at 55 mphstopping distance of a loaded truckHandbook p. 10-7
200 feetlength of a large vehicle's rear blind spotHandbook p. 10-7
Check yourself

3 questions from the Maine practice test

  1. 1. About how many bicycles are there in Maine, according to the handbook?

    1. Nearly 900,000, mostly ridden on Maine's roadways
    2. About 10,000
    3. About 50,000
    4. About 5 million
    Show answer

    Nearly 900,000, mostly ridden on Maine's roadways. There are nearly 900,000 bicycles in Maine and most bicycling is done on the roadways, so drivers should expect bicyclists on every kind of road. Despite all laws, you must exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians or bicyclists. Leave at least three feet when passing and check for bicycles before turning right, and expect riders to move left around parked cars and debris.

  2. 2. How many crashes occur between cars and large vehicles each year, according to the Maine handbook?

    1. About 1,000
    2. About 25,000
    3. Over 250,000
    4. About 5 million
    Show answer

    Over 250,000. Over 250,000 crashes occur between cars and large vehicles each year, and a loaded truck at 55 mph takes at least 335 feet to stop. Trucks have large blind spots, need room to turn, and cannot brake like a car, so stay out of the no zones, pass promptly, and never cut in front of a truck and slow down.

  3. 3. While turning at a green light, when must a driver yield to pedestrians?

    1. Only when the driver has a red light
    2. When pedestrians are crossing with the light
    3. Only when a crossing guard is present
    4. Never, because the vehicle has the green light
    Show answer

    When pedestrians are crossing with the light. A green light does not erase a pedestrian's crossing priority. When a vehicle turns a corner, it must yield to pedestrians who are crossing with the light. The red-light choice confuses the driver's signal with the pedestrian's permitted movement, and a crossing guard is not required for the duty to apply. Before turning, check the crosswalk and the area beside the corner, then let pedestrians clear the vehicle's path. The practical cue is that both road users may have a green indication at the same time.

Next step

Practice this topic

Lock it in with safe driving questions from the free Maine practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.

Practice this topicAll 26 lessons

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 10: Sharing the Road. 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.

Reviewed by , CA DOI #4037122 · Last updated 2026-09-27