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

With a passenger on board, you should:

Maintain your usual cornering speed

Avoid using the brakes in curves

Take corners faster to counter extra weight

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

2 / 30

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

Check with the operator first

Step on the exhaust pipe

Hold the front brake lever

Mount quickly without warning

3 / 30

The passenger should sit:

On the handlebars

Only on the seat designed for the passenger

As far back as possible on the fender

On the fuel tank

4 / 30

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

Helmet stickers

Radio volume

Color of the frame

Slack in the drive chain

5 / 30

When approaching a turn or curve, the passenger should:

Look away from the turn

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

Sit upright and not lean at all

Close their eyes

6 / 30

The passenger’s feet should:

Hang freely on either side

Be tucked under the seat

Rest on the exhaust pipes

Reach and remain on the foot pegs at all times

7 / 30

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

Ask the passenger to steer

Turn off the engine first

Warn the passenger if possible

Accelerate without warning

8 / 30

Before carrying a passenger, you may need to adjust:

Headlight bulbs

Paint color

Suspension/shock absorbers

Handlebar decorations

9 / 30

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

To help steer the motorcycle

To avoid contact with hot exhaust pipes and mufflers

To improve fuel economy

To cool the brakes

10 / 30

When is riding with a passenger recommended?

Only on highways

Only after you are an experienced rider

Whenever the passenger insists

As soon as the motorcycle is purchased

11 / 30

When carrying a passenger, your following distance should be:

Reduced to less than two seconds

Ignored if you have good brakes

Kept the same as when riding alone

Increased to three to four seconds

12 / 30

The passenger must wear which of the following by law?

An approved helmet

Steel-toe boots

A reflective vest

A leather jacket

13 / 30

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

Rely mostly on engine braking

Reduce speed earlier because stopping time and distance increase

Downshift instead of slowing early

Brake later to keep traffic flowing

14 / 30

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

Lean forward during acceleration only

Lean backward during braking

Stay rigid and resist all movement

Move as the operator does when increasing and decreasing speed

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When fastening a load on a motorcycle, you should:

Assume the load will stay secure without checking

Use rope that stretches and tie one big knot

Attach items to the front fender for easy access

Use elastic bungee cords or nets and check the load regularly

16 / 30

Appropriate passenger equipment includes:

Helmet, protective clothing, footwear, and eye protection

Regular eyeglasses only

Sandals and shorts

Helmet only

17 / 30

Before the passenger gets on, the operator should:

Take the motorcycle off the side stand

Turn the handlebars fully to one side

Start moving and let the passenger jump on

Leave the motorcycle on the side stand

18 / 30

The passenger should sit:

As far backward as possible

Sideways on the seat

As far forward as possible without crowding the operator

Standing on the pegs

19 / 30

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

Stop in the middle of intersections

Use smaller gaps to get through faster

Count on quicker acceleration

Look for larger gaps in traffic

20 / 30

Tire pressure before riding with a passenger should be:

Increased to the maximum listed on the tire

Reduced below normal

Checked and adjusted for carrying a passenger

Ignored unless a tire looks flat

21 / 30

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

Use more strength to hold your body position

Sit farther back on the seat

Loosen your grip on the handlebars

Keep your arms fully extended and rigid

22 / 30

When loading saddle bags, you should:

Load them with about the same weight on each side

Put all heavy items on one side

Put all items on top of the motorcycle

Place most weight at the front fender

23 / 30

Clear communication and cooperation between operator and passenger:

Matter only at high speed

Are extremely important to reduce the risk of injuries

Are needed only for long-distance travel

Are optional on short trips

24 / 30

The passenger should be instructed to:

Sit still, especially while manoeuvring

Look only straight ahead at all times

Lean opposite to every turn

Shift around often to stay comfortable

25 / 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

Only at night when traffic is lighter

With high-speed freeway riding

26 / 30

The safest way to carry cargo on a motorcycle is:

Held in the rider’s hands

In tank or saddle bags designed for motorcycles

Balanced on the fuel tank

Tied to the handlebars

27 / 30

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

Cause the passenger to lose balance and possibly come off

Improve fuel economy

Reduce stopping distance

Clean the engine

28 / 30

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

Has a storage compartment

Is over 500 cc

Has a windshield

Has a seat designed to carry an extra person

29 / 30

It is recommended that the passenger:

Uses only the hand grips and never the operator

Holds only the rear turn signals

Leans backward at all times

Holds on to the operator’s waist

30 / 30

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

Passenger hand grips and foot rests

A radio and mirrors

A trunk and side stand

Heated grips and saddlebags

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.