Motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles and animals

Key points

1. Motorcycles get a full lane; never move alongside one in the same lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Motorcycles are entitled to the same full lane width as all other vehicles.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 69

2. No more than two motorcycles may ride abreast in one lane, and only with both riders' consent.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “No more than two motorcycles may be driven abreast in the same lane and must be by consent of both motorcycle drivers.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 69

3. Pedestrians account for nearly 20 percent of traffic deaths; yield in crosswalks, marked or not.

   Source: Handbook p. 70

   “Pedestrians account for nearly 20 percent of all traffic deaths. You are required to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk area, whether there are pavement markings or not.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 70

4. When space allows, keep at least 3 feet between your vehicle and a bicyclist.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “space allows, maintain at least 3 feet of separa• When tion between your vehicle and the bicyclist.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 56

5. Bicycles used after dark must have a front light and rear reflectors.

   Source: Handbook p. 70

   “Any bicycle used after dark must have a front light and rear reflectors”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 70

6. Animal collisions are most common in fall and spring, when animals migrate.

   Source: Handbook p. 72

   “they are most prevalent during the fall and spring, while animals are migrating between their summer and winter habitats.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 72

7. If an animal collision seems inevitable, do not swerve; brake as quickly as you safely can and stay on the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 73

   “If a collision seems inevitable, don’t swerve suddenly to avoid the animal. Your risk of personal injury may be greater if you do. Brake as quickly as you safely can, but keep your vehicle under control and on the road.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 73

8. Most fatal crashes between trucks and other vehicles are caused by the passenger vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “most fatal crashes involving a heavy vehicle and one or more other vehicles are caused by the passenger vehicle.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 71

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Wyoming practice test

1. 1. How many motorcycles may ride side by side in one Wyoming lane?

   1. As many as fit
   2. No more than two, and only with the consent of both riders
   3. One only
   4. Three
   Show answer

   No more than two, and only with the consent of both riders. No more than two motorcycles may be driven abreast in the same lane, and only by consent of both motorcycle drivers. A motorcycle may not overtake and pass another vehicle within the same lane except another motorcycle, and a car must never share a lane with a motorcycle, which boxes both in with no way out. Give a motorcycle the full lane.

2. 2. If a collision with an animal seems inevitable, what does the Wyoming manual advise?

   1. Swerve suddenly into another lane
   2. Release the brakes and rely only on the horn
   3. Accelerate toward the animal to clear the area
   4. Brake as quickly as safely possible while keeping control
   Show answer

   Brake as quickly as safely possible while keeping control. The manual advises against a sudden swerve because leaving the roadway or entering another path can create a more serious injury risk. Instead, brake as quickly as safely possible while keeping the vehicle under control and on the road. Accelerating toward the animal does not reduce the collision danger, and releasing the brakes to rely on the horn gives up the one action that lowers impact speed. The cue is controlled braking in the lane: reduce the impact risk without creating a second crash through an abrupt steering move.

3. 3. Why does Wyoming's manual emphasize special caution around wildlife on rural highways?

   1. Migration seasons are the only time animal crashes happen
   2. Wildlife danger rises only after animals are already standing in the lane
   3. Large animals usually move predictably along the shoulder
   4. Collisions with deer and other big-game animals can seriously harm people and vehicles
   Show answer

   Collisions with deer and other big-game animals can seriously harm people and vehicles. Wyoming emphasizes wildlife because deer and other big-game animals create real rural highway danger, including serious injury and major vehicle damage. Migration seasons increase concern, but they are not the only possible time for an animal crash. Assuming animals move predictably along the shoulder is also risky because they can enter the lane suddenly. Reduce speed near wildlife signs, use extra caution at dawn and dusk, and scan the shoulder as far ahead as headlights or daylight allow.

Source: the Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Sharing the Road Safely. 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.