The Rider's Guide warns riders about hypothermia. What is it?
Alberta Class 6 overview
Alberta Class 6: Rider fitness and distractions
Hypothermia, overheating and dehydration, alcohol, drugs and medication, fatigue, cell phones and other distractions.
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- 10 questions
- Topic drill
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Study reference: Rider's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 2 Preparing to Ride — Hypothermia, Hyperthermia, Responsible riding, Cell phones and other distractions, pp. 17–19
All 10 questions in this test
Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.
The Rider's Guide warns riders about hypothermia. What is it?
- The body losing heat faster than it makes it
- Muscle cramps from vibration
- The body overheating after long rides in hot weather
- Dehydration from wind
How can you reduce the risk of overheating and dehydration on a hot ride?
- Ride without a jacket
- Skip breaks to finish sooner
- Ride faster to increase airflow and cool your body
- Drink plenty of water and rest out of the sun
You take a new over-the-counter cold medicine. What should you do before riding?
- Take half the dose
- Drink coffee to stay alert
- Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it affects riding
- Ride as long as you feel fine after the first dose
You need to make a call with your hands-free phone. What does the Rider's Guide advise?
- Stop at a safe spot at the side of the road first
- Slow down while you talk
- Keep the call under one minute
- Use voice commands only, while riding at a steady speed
How does being chilled affect you as a rider?
- It improves your balance
- It sharpens your concentration and keeps you alert
- It slows your reflexes and response time
- It has no real effect
What does the Rider's Guide say about riding after drinking alcohol?
- Never ride after drinking alcohol or using drugs
- It is fine on quiet roads
- It is fine if you feel alert and have waited an hour
- Wait one hour per drink
Which of these is a distraction that can bring a fine under the Traffic Safety Act?
- Adjusting your lane position
- Checking your mirrors
- Entering information on a GPS unit
- Using hand signals
Can a rider become hypothermic on a warm day?
- Only if it is raining
- No, only when the air is below freezing
- Yes, from constant exposure to wind
- Only at night
You feel very tired partway through a long trip. What should you do?
- Speed up to get there sooner
- Ride closer to the vehicle ahead
- Open your visor for fresh air
- Stop and rest before continuing
Why does riding without a jacket in hot weather raise the risk of dehydration?
- Wind dries moisture from exposed skin quickly
- A jacket stores water for you
- Jackets block the sun completely and keep skin cool
- Bare arms absorb more oxygen
Rider fitness and distractions: key rules to remember
Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗
Rider's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 2 Preparing to Ride, pp. 17–19
- Hypothermia: body loses heat faster than it makes it; caused by cold or wind chill; can happen even in warm weather because of constant wind.
- Being chilled slows reflexes and response, reduces concentration. Windproof jacket and insulated layers are essential; heated riding clothing exists.
- Hyperthermia: body overheats; wind over exposed skin dries moisture → dehydration risk.
- Prevent: drink plenty of water before the ride and on breaks; plan frequent water breaks and rest out of direct sun.
- Riding without a jacket makes hyperthermia/dehydration worse; vented jackets and helmets help.
- Never ride after drinking alcohol or using drugs.
- Ask a doctor or pharmacist whether prescription or over-the-counter medicines affect judgement and reaction.
- Don't ride tired or stressed; avoid getting too cold, too hot or dehydrated.
- Don't make/receive calls or read/send texts while riding.
- Stop in a safe place at the side of the road to use a phone (including hands-free), groom, listen to music, eat or drink.
- Two-way radios and GPS units are also distractions.
- Traffic Safety Act fines cover: hand-held cell phone use; texting/emailing; electronic devices (laptops, video games, cameras, video displays); programming portable audio players; entering GPS information; reading printed material; writing, printing or sketching; personal grooming.
Study the Rider fitness and distractions rules as flashcards →
Other topics
- Road signsSign shapes and colours, regulatory, permissive and prohibitive signs, warning signs, school and playground zones, and construction signs.
- Traffic lights and signalsSolid, flashing and arrow lights, turns on a red light, pedestrian signals, lane reversal signals and flashing yellow beacons.
- Pavement markingsYellow and white lines, passing zones, two-way left-turn lanes, diamonds, painted islands, bicycle lanes, crosswalks and stop lines.
- Class 6 licensing and GDLLearning to ride, supervisors, Class 7 learner riding conditions, the knowledge and road tests, Class 6-GDL conditions, exiting GDL, mopeds and power bicycles.
- Helmets and protective gearApproved helmet standards, helmet types and fit, eye and face protection, jackets, pants, boots, gloves and hearing protection.
- Controls and pre-ride inspectionChoosing a motorcycle that fits, learning the controls, the pre-trip inspection checklist and seasonal storage.
- Riding position, gears and parkingRiding position, starting, signalling, the clutch and friction zone, shifting gears, starting on a hill and parking.
- Braking, traction and stopping distanceTires and traction, using the front and rear brakes, threshold braking, and perception, reaction and braking distance.
- Turns, curves and skidsTurning at low speed, push-steering (counter-steering) through curves, and avoiding and recovering from skids.
- Lane position, space and being seenBlind spots, the space cushion, following distance, choosing a lane and lane position, and changing lanes.
- Intersections and passingLane position at intersections, a stalled motorcycle, passing emergency vehicles, when not to pass, passing on a two-lane highway and being passed.
- Night, weather and road surfacesRiding at night and in fog, wind and temperature extremes, hydroplaning, gravel, ice, metal gratings and railway tracks.
- Riding emergenciesEmergency braking, swerving around and riding over obstacles, a stuck throttle, wobble, tire blowouts, airborne objects and animals.
- Passengers, cargo and three-wheelersCarrying a passenger legally and safely, loading cargo, towing a trailer, three-wheeled motorcycles and sidecars.
- Group ridingGroup size, the staggered formation and following times, the lead rider's position, passing and changing lanes as a group, and single file.
- Sharing the roadPedestrians, cyclists, large trucks, school buses, snowplows, railway crossings and LRT, from Alberta's Driver's Guide.
- Demerits, impaired riding and penaltiesDemerit point limits for GDL and full licence holders, common demerit values, impaired driving limits and Alberta's Immediate Roadside Sanctions.