Chapter 8a: Carrying a Passenger or Cargo

The chapter “Carrying a Passenger or Cargo” in the Alberta motorcycle practice test is essential for riders looking to enhance their skills in handling additional weight.

Alberta Motorcycle Test - Chapter 8a: Carrying a Passenger or Cargo

1 / 30

The passenger should sit:

As far back as possible on the fender

Only on the seat designed for the passenger

On the handlebars

On the fuel tank

2 / 30

When carrying a passenger, your following distance should be:

Reduced to less than two seconds

Increased to three to four seconds

Ignored if you have good brakes

Kept the same as when riding alone

3 / 30

Sudden acceleration with a passenger should be avoided because it can:

Improve fuel economy

Cause the passenger to lose balance and possibly come off

Clean the engine

Reduce stopping distance

4 / 30

Compared to riding alone, when carrying a passenger you should:

Downshift instead of slowing early

Reduce speed earlier because stopping time and distance increase

Rely mostly on engine braking

Brake later to keep traffic flowing

5 / 30

When is riding with a passenger recommended?

Only after you are an experienced rider

Whenever the passenger insists

Only on highways

As soon as the motorcycle is purchased

6 / 30

Due to the extra weight of a passenger, when crossing, entering, or merging with traffic, you should:

Use smaller gaps to get through faster

Count on quicker acceleration

Look for larger gaps in traffic

Stop in the middle of intersections

7 / 30

With a passenger on board, you should:

Maintain your usual cornering speed

Take corners faster to counter extra weight

Operate at a slower speed, particularly on corners, curves, or bumps

Avoid using the brakes in curves

8 / 30

When approaching a turn or curve, the passenger should:

Look over the operator’s shoulder in the direction of the turn

Sit upright and not lean at all

Look away from the turn

Close their eyes

9 / 30

When preparing your motorcycle for a passenger, you should check:

Radio volume

Slack in the drive chain

Color of the frame

Helmet stickers

10 / 30

Before getting on or off the motorcycle, the passenger should:

Check with the operator first

Mount quickly without warning

Step on the exhaust pipe

Hold the front brake lever

11 / 30

Clear communication and cooperation between operator and passenger:

Are needed only for long-distance travel

Are extremely important to reduce the risk of injuries

Matter only at high speed

Are optional on short trips

12 / 30

Compared to riding alone, when carrying a passenger you must:

Sit farther back on the seat

Keep your arms fully extended and rigid

Use more strength to hold your body position

Loosen your grip on the handlebars

13 / 30

Before sudden movements such as quick acceleration or lane changes, the operator should:

Turn off the engine first

Accelerate without warning

Warn the passenger if possible

Ask the passenger to steer

14 / 30

Tire pressure before riding with a passenger should be:

Increased to the maximum listed on the tire

Reduced below normal

Ignored unless a tire looks flat

Checked and adjusted for carrying a passenger

15 / 30

The passenger should sit:

As far forward as possible without crowding the operator

As far backward as possible

Sideways on the seat

Standing on the pegs

16 / 30

The passenger must wear which of the following by law?

Steel-toe boots

A reflective vest

A leather jacket

An approved helmet

17 / 30

To help with smooth acceleration and braking, the passenger should:

Lean backward during braking

Stay rigid and resist all movement

Move as the operator does when increasing and decreasing speed

Lean forward during acceleration only

18 / 30

Before the passenger gets on, the operator should:

Turn the handlebars fully to one side

Leave the motorcycle on the side stand

Take the motorcycle off the side stand

Start moving and let the passenger jump on

19 / 30

When fastening a load on a motorcycle, you should:

Use elastic bungee cords or nets and check the load regularly

Assume the load will stay secure without checking

Attach items to the front fender for easy access

Use rope that stretches and tie one big knot

20 / 30

When loading saddle bags, you should:

Load them with about the same weight on each side

Place most weight at the front fender

Put all heavy items on one side

Put all items on top of the motorcycle

21 / 30

Before carrying a passenger, you may need to adjust:

Suspension/shock absorbers

Handlebar decorations

Headlight bulbs

Paint color

22 / 30

A passenger is legally permitted on a motorcycle only if the motorcycle:

Has a windshield

Has a storage compartment

Is over 500 cc

Has a seat designed to carry an extra person

23 / 30

Appropriate passenger equipment includes:

Regular eyeglasses only

Sandals and shorts

Helmet, protective clothing, footwear, and eye protection

Helmet only

24 / 30

The passenger’s feet should:

Be tucked under the seat

Hang freely on either side

Reach and remain on the foot pegs at all times

Rest on the exhaust pipes

25 / 30

It is recommended that the passenger:

Holds only the rear turn signals

Leans backward at all times

Uses only the hand grips and never the operator

Holds on to the operator’s waist

26 / 30

In addition to a suitable seat, the motorcycle must also have:

A radio and mirrors

Passenger hand grips and foot rests

Heated grips and saddlebags

A trunk and side stand

27 / 30

The safest way to carry cargo on a motorcycle is:

Held in the rider’s hands

Balanced on the fuel tank

Tied to the handlebars

In tank or saddle bags designed for motorcycles

28 / 30

Why must a passenger’s feet stay on the pegs even when stopped?

To cool the brakes

To avoid contact with hot exhaust pipes and mufflers

To help steer the motorcycle

To improve fuel economy

29 / 30

When carrying a passenger for the first time, you should start:

At slow speeds in areas free of traffic, then light traffic

Immediately on busy highways

With high-speed freeway riding

Only at night when traffic is lighter

30 / 30

The passenger should be instructed to:

Sit still, especially while manoeuvring

Lean opposite to every turn

Look only straight ahead at all times

Shift around often to stay comfortable

Your score is

This section focuses on the adjustments needed when riding with a passenger or cargo, such as balancing, braking, and maneuvering. It emphasizes the importance of communication with passengers and ensuring their safety through proper seating and holding techniques. Riders learn how to distribute weight evenly and adjust suspension settings for stability. Mastering these skills ensures a smoother and safer ride, promoting confidence and responsibility when transporting passengers or cargo on Alberta’s roads.

Challenge yourself by repeatedly working through the Alberta motorcycle practice test questions. Aim to understand and articulate the underlying concepts clearly and confidently, without needing to consult your notes.