Driver's License Test Prep
US Road Signs Road Markings

The word BIKE is painted in white inside a travel lane. What does this pavement legend identify?

White block letters spelling BIKE painted on dark pavement, stretched tall so the word reads correctly to an approaching driver.
  1. A.
    A lane designated for the preferential use of bicyclists Correct
  2. B.
    A lane where motorists and bicyclists share the space
  3. C.
    A crossing where bicyclists ride across the roadway
  4. D.
    A curbside space reserved for bicycle parking
The Why

The answer is "A lane designated for the preferential use of bicyclists"

The BIKE word legend marks a bicycle lane, the portion of the roadway set aside for the preferential use of riders. Drivers who pick the shared-lane answer are confusing this word legend with the sharrow, the bicycle symbol topped by two white chevron arrows used when motorists and bicyclists share the same lane.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

B. A lane where motorists and bicyclists share the space

A shared-lane assignment is signaled by the sharrow, a bicycle symbol topped by two white chevron arrows, not by a word legend. This answer comes from carrying the sharrow rule that motorists share a bike-marked lane over to any pavement marking that names bicyclists.

C. A crossing where bicyclists ride across the roadway

Bicycle crossings are marked with crosswalk lines or crossing icons at an intersection, not with a word painted inside a through lane. This answer comes from picturing the bike-crossing markings placed across an intersection instead of a legend running with in-lane traffic.

D. A curbside space reserved for bicycle parking

Bicycle parking is identified by curb signs and racks off the travel way; the BIKE legend sits inside a moving lane. This answer extends the painted-P convention that flags parking on the road surface to any word painted on pavement.

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 3C.02 (BIKE Pavement Legend)..

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