If a bicycle rider near you is a child, you should expect them to?

• A. Do anything, and adjust your speed and distance from the hazard.
• B. Ride in a straight line only.
• C. Always yield with full stop.
• D. Stay entirely on the sidewalk.

Answer: (A)

Children on bikes can move unpredictably. A kid may wobble, drift toward traffic, stop suddenly, or change direction without obvious warning. Because of that, the safest approach is to slow down and increase the distance between your vehicle and the bicycle whenever you’re near one. This gives you more time to react if the cyclist makes a sudden move and reduces the risk of a collision. When passing, give as much space as the situation allows, and stay alert for unexpected actions, especially with young riders who may not anticipate traffic as adults do. It’s not realistic to expect a child to ride in a perfectly straight line, and you don’t always have to come to a full stop—only stop if it’s necessary for safety. Riding on the sidewalk isn’t automatically required or safe in all areas, so don’t assume that’s the rule.