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

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

Lean forward during acceleration only

Stay rigid and resist all movement

Lean backward during braking

Move as the operator does when increasing and decreasing speed

2 / 30

Tire pressure before riding with a passenger should be:

Reduced below normal

Increased to the maximum listed on the tire

Ignored unless a tire looks flat

Checked and adjusted for carrying a passenger

3 / 30

Appropriate passenger equipment includes:

Regular eyeglasses only

Helmet, protective clothing, footwear, and eye protection

Sandals and shorts

Helmet only

4 / 30

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

To avoid contact with hot exhaust pipes and mufflers

To help steer the motorcycle

To improve fuel economy

To cool the brakes

5 / 30

Before the passenger gets on, the operator should:

Leave the motorcycle on the side stand

Take the motorcycle off the side stand

Turn the handlebars fully to one side

Start moving and let the passenger jump on

6 / 30

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

Helmet stickers

Slack in the drive chain

Radio volume

Color of the frame

7 / 30

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

With high-speed freeway riding

Immediately on busy highways

Only at night when traffic is lighter

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

8 / 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

9 / 30

It is recommended that the passenger:

Uses only the hand grips and never the operator

Holds on to the operator’s waist

Leans backward at all times

Holds only the rear turn signals

10 / 30

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

A radio and mirrors

A trunk and side stand

Passenger hand grips and foot rests

Heated grips and saddlebags

11 / 30

The passenger’s feet should:

Hang freely on either side

Be tucked under the seat

Reach and remain on the foot pegs at all times

Rest on the exhaust pipes

12 / 30

Clear communication and cooperation between operator and passenger:

Are optional on short trips

Are needed only for long-distance travel

Are extremely important to reduce the risk of injuries

Matter only at high speed

13 / 30

The passenger must wear which of the following by law?

An approved helmet

A reflective vest

Steel-toe boots

A leather jacket

14 / 30

When carrying a passenger, your following distance should be:

Reduced to less than two seconds

Kept the same as when riding alone

Ignored if you have good brakes

Increased to three to four seconds

15 / 30

When approaching a turn or curve, the passenger should:

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

Look away from the turn

Close their eyes

Sit upright and not lean at all

16 / 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

17 / 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

Stop in the middle of intersections

Look for larger gaps in traffic

18 / 30

When is riding with a passenger recommended?

Only on highways

As soon as the motorcycle is purchased

Only after you are an experienced rider

Whenever the passenger insists

19 / 30

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

Reduce speed earlier because stopping time and distance increase

Brake later to keep traffic flowing

Downshift instead of slowing early

Rely mostly on engine braking

20 / 30

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

Turn off the engine first

Warn the passenger if possible

Ask the passenger to steer

Accelerate without warning

21 / 30

The passenger should sit:

Only on the seat designed for the passenger

On the handlebars

On the fuel tank

As far back as possible on the fender

22 / 30

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

Sit farther back on the seat

Keep your arms fully extended and rigid

Loosen your grip on the handlebars

Use more strength to hold your body position

23 / 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

Reduce stopping distance

Clean the engine

24 / 30

With a passenger on board, you should:

Maintain your usual cornering speed

Avoid using the brakes in curves

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

Take corners faster to counter extra weight

25 / 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

26 / 30

The passenger should be instructed to:

Lean opposite to every turn

Sit still, especially while manoeuvring

Shift around often to stay comfortable

Look only straight ahead at all times

27 / 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

Tied to the handlebars

Balanced on the fuel tank

28 / 30

The passenger should sit:

Sideways on the seat

As far backward as possible

Standing on the pegs

As far forward as possible without crowding the operator

29 / 30

Before carrying a passenger, you may need to adjust:

Suspension/shock absorbers

Headlight bulbs

Handlebar decorations

Paint color

30 / 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

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.