Maintaining a Space Cushion Means to… (Motorcycle Written Test Answer)

Use this motorcycle practice test question to prepare for the real written exam at the DMV or during your motorcycle safety course. 

One of the major benefits to maintaining a space cushion around your motorcycle is:

1. It allows you to ride faster than usual. 
2. It gives you space to react to hazards.
3. It allows you to safely ride in another driver’s blind spot. 
4. It gives you better gas mileage.

Find the answer to this question and an explanation below. 

Answer

This topic may show up on your motorcycle permit test. 

The answer is: B. It gives you space to react to hazards.

How’d you do? Learn more about this motorcycle topic below. 

Explanation: Motorcycle Space Cushion

In order to pass your motorcycle permit exams and to become a safe rider, it’s important to know why a particular answer on the motorcycle written test is correct. 

Keeping an adequate space cushion in front, behind, and to the sides of your motorcycle while riding is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risks of a collision. 

You should maintain an adequate space cushion at all times, including:

• When following behind another vehicle.
• When you are being followed.
• When passing and being passed.
• Passing by a row of parked cars.
• When sharing a lane with a group of riders.

Choosing the right lane position for different situations is a way you can maintain enough of a space cushion while you ride.

When following and being followed, a minimum of 2 seconds distance should be used. Increase this distance when riding conditions are less than ideal.

Why is a space cushion important?

There are a number of benefits to maintaining a space cushion. One of the biggest benefits is that it gives you plenty of space and options for reacting to hazards. 

Space in front, behind, and around your motorcycle gives you the full set of choices to respond to a hazard, and you’ll be able to:

• Slow down or stop.
• Speed up. 
• Change lane positions. 
• Swerve. 

When you ride too close to other vehicles, your options will be more limited, and you may be putting yourself at greater risk of a collision if a hazard comes up. 

Plus, a space cushion gives you a much better view of the road ahead and around you, and it makes it easier for other drivers to spot you. 

Basically, a space cushion makes your chances of avoiding a crash much greater.

You can find more information about this topic in the motorcycle rider’s handbook.

Check out more motorcycle permit test questions and answers here.

Find in-depth articles for new riders in our section dedicated to learning how to ride a motorcycle.

Plus, check out an overview of the requirements to get a motorcycle endorsement in each state.