Driver's License Test Prep
US Road Signs Road Markings

A white bicycle symbol painted on the pavement next to a solid white lane line marks the lane as what?

A white outline of a bicycle on a dark background, seen from the side. It shows two round wheels, a triangular frame, a raised seat, and angled handlebars at the front.
  1. A.
    A portion of the roadway set aside for the preferential use of bicyclists. Correct
  2. B.
    A shared lane where cars and bikes have equal priority.
  3. C.
    A crossing point where bicyclists cut across traffic.
  4. D.
    A path reserved for bicycles only, closed to all motor vehicles at all times.
The Why

The answer is "A portion of the roadway set aside for the preferential use of bicyclists."

The bike symbol paired with a solid white lane line marks the lane as reserved for the preferential use of bicyclists. The trap is the choice that stretches "preferential" into "exclusive," shutting every motor vehicle out at every hour; that overshoots the rule, because state and local traffic law spell out when other vehicles may enter or cross a bike lane.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

B. A shared lane where cars and bikes have equal priority.

The symbol with a solid white lane line designates preferential use for bicyclists, not equal priority with motor traffic. This answer reads the marking as a shared-lane sharrow, which does not use the solid white lane line or carry the preferential-use meaning.

C. A crossing point where bicyclists cut across traffic.

The symbol is placed inside a travel lane running along the roadway, not at a spot where cyclists cross the flow of traffic. This answer confuses the in-lane bicycle symbol with pavement markings at a bicycle crossing, where cyclists move across a roadway rather than along one.

D. A path reserved for bicycles only, closed to all motor vehicles at all times.

The bike lane is designated for preferential use, which does not lock every other vehicle out under every condition. This answer overreads preferential as exclusive, when state and local traffic law govern when other vehicles may enter or cross the lane.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Road Markings on the roads of every US state . Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 9E.01 (Bicycle Lane Symbol)..

More from this topic

Related questions

Free study plan

A free knowledge-test study plan

Pick your state and we'll send a short run of study emails for that test. The printable cheat sheet is free to grab either way.

One email a few times a month. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.