The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the City of Indianapolis revealed changes in the newest edition of the Indiana Driver’s Manual that address issues for cyclists riding in traffic and in the 64 miles of on-street bike lanes in Indianapolis.
Drivers and cyclists have been confused since the city established bike lanes on roads but offered little guidance on how traffic behavior would change around them. Interactions between automobile drivers and cyclists are explained in the new version, and study questions have been added to ensure that the information retains importance.
The additional information prepares drivers for bike related lane markings and list situations to keep in mind while driving. One new guideline states that a driver should only cross the solid white line of a bike lane when you are turning, and also that cyclists are not required to use the lanes. Riders can choose to use the designated lane or the travel lane.
The BMV, the city and Bicycle Indiana teamed up to create the educational material and increase the number of cycling-related questions on the driver’s written knowledge test.
The BMV driver’s knowledge test will now be able to include six questions about bike lanes, which is twice the previous number. The changes will be effective by the end of July. The Indianapolis Bikeways Plan hopes to install a total of 200 miles of bike lanes over the next 12 years.
The new manual is available here.
