Press Release  Massachusetts Launches New Driver Education Resources to Improve Safety for People Bicycling

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) today announced a new set of driver education classroom resources that will help prepare future drivers to safely share the road with people bicycling. 

Developed in partnership with MassBike and LivableStreets Alliance and supported by federal funding from the National Safety Council, the new resources give driver education instructors practical, up-to-date tools for teaching safe driving behaviors around bicyclists. The materials focus on key safety topics, including Massachusetts' four-foot passing law, safe turning at intersections and checking before opening a vehicle door to help prevent "dooring" crashes. 

"Every new driver should graduate from driver education knowing how to safely share the road with people who bike," said Galen Mook, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition. "These resources are designed to catch the attention of new drivers, and give instructors practical tools to build awareness, reduce conflicts, and help create safer streets for everyone." 

“As the popularity of bicycling increases across Massachusetts, including the use of e-bikes and other micromobility devices, we’re taking steps with our partners to provide enhanced support materials about how to safely share the road,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “By reinforcing the four-foot passing law, safe turning practices, and the importance of checking before opening a vehicle door, we are helping instructors prepare new drivers to understand that bicycles are everywhere in our communities.”  

Bicycling continues to grow as both a popular form of transportation and recreation throughout Massachusetts, making it increasingly important that new drivers understand how to safely interact with people riding bicycles. The driver’s education module covers essential topics such as recognizing bicyclists' rights and responsibilities, yielding appropriately, navigating intersections, anticipating common riding behaviors and preventing common crashes. 

The classroom resources include instructional videos, presentation slides, lesson plans, discussion prompts and one-page reference materials that can be easily incorporated into existing driver education courses. The module aligns with current Massachusetts traffic laws and nationally recognized roadway safety best practices. 

The resources emphasize that roadway safety is a shared responsibility. By helping new drivers better understand the perspective and behavior of bicyclists, the program aims to reduce crashes, improve predictability, and encourage respectful interactions between all road users. 

The resources are available at no cost to driver education instructors, schools, and training programs throughout Massachusetts. 

For more information or to access the classroom materials, visit www.massbike.org. 

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