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

Tire pressure before riding with a passenger should be:

Reduced below normal

Ignored unless a tire looks flat

Checked and adjusted for carrying a passenger

Increased to the maximum listed on the tire

2 / 30

The passenger should sit:

As far backward as possible

As far forward as possible without crowding the operator

Standing on the pegs

Sideways on the seat

3 / 30

When fastening a load on a motorcycle, you should:

Assume the load will stay secure without checking

Attach items to the front fender for easy access

Use elastic bungee cords or nets and check the load regularly

Use rope that stretches and tie one big knot

4 / 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

5 / 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

Sit upright and not lean at all

Close their eyes

6 / 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

7 / 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

8 / 30

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

Lean backward during braking

Move as the operator does when increasing and decreasing speed

Lean forward during acceleration only

Stay rigid and resist all movement

9 / 30

Appropriate passenger equipment includes:

Sandals and shorts

Helmet, protective clothing, footwear, and eye protection

Helmet only

Regular eyeglasses only

10 / 30

The passenger should be instructed to:

Look only straight ahead at all times

Shift around often to stay comfortable

Lean opposite to every turn

Sit still, especially while manoeuvring

11 / 30

Before carrying a passenger, you may need to adjust:

Paint color

Handlebar decorations

Suspension/shock absorbers

Headlight bulbs

12 / 30

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

A trunk and side stand

A radio and mirrors

Passenger hand grips and foot rests

Heated grips and saddlebags

13 / 30

When carrying a passenger, your following distance should be:

Kept the same as when riding alone

Ignored if you have good brakes

Increased to three to four seconds

Reduced to less than two seconds

14 / 30

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

Sit farther back on the seat

Loosen your grip on the handlebars

Use more strength to hold your body position

Keep your arms fully extended and rigid

15 / 30

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

Only at night when traffic is lighter

With high-speed freeway riding

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

Immediately on busy highways

16 / 30

Before the passenger gets on, the operator should:

Turn the handlebars fully to one side

Take the motorcycle off the side stand

Start moving and let the passenger jump on

Leave the motorcycle on the side stand

17 / 30

When loading saddle bags, you should:

Place most weight at the front fender

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

18 / 30

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

Look for larger gaps in traffic

Use smaller gaps to get through faster

Stop in the middle of intersections

Count on quicker acceleration

19 / 30

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

Is over 500 cc

Has a seat designed to carry an extra person

Has a windshield

Has a storage compartment

20 / 30

It is recommended that the passenger:

Leans backward at all times

Uses only the hand grips and never the operator

Holds only the rear turn signals

Holds on to the operator’s waist

21 / 30

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

Warn the passenger if possible

Turn off the engine first

Ask the passenger to steer

Accelerate without warning

22 / 30

Clear communication and cooperation between operator and passenger:

Matter only at high speed

Are optional on short trips

Are needed only for long-distance travel

Are extremely important to reduce the risk of injuries

23 / 30

The passenger’s feet should:

Hang freely on either side

Rest on the exhaust pipes

Reach and remain on the foot pegs at all times

Be tucked under the seat

24 / 30

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

Color of the frame

Helmet stickers

Radio volume

Slack in the drive chain

25 / 30

The passenger must wear which of the following by law?

A leather jacket

An approved helmet

A reflective vest

Steel-toe boots

26 / 30

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

Reduce stopping distance

Improve fuel economy

Cause the passenger to lose balance and possibly come off

Clean the engine

27 / 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

28 / 30

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

Reduce speed earlier because stopping time and distance increase

Downshift instead of slowing early

Rely mostly on engine braking

Brake later to keep traffic flowing

29 / 30

When is riding with a passenger recommended?

Whenever the passenger insists

Only after you are an experienced rider

As soon as the motorcycle is purchased

Only on highways

30 / 30

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

Step on the exhaust pipe

Hold the front brake lever

Check with the operator first

Mount quickly without warning

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.