Which of the following statements is true?
- Coasting is good for control.
- It's legal to coast downhill with the clutch in.
- It's legal to coast downhill in neutral.
- It's illegal to coast downhill in neutral or with the clutch in. ✓
Answer: D. It's illegal to coast downhill in neutral or with the clutch in.
The true statement is that it's illegal to coast downhill in neutral or with the clutch in.
Why this is the answer
The handbook states plainly that coasting downhill in neutral or with the clutch in is against the law, because you need to be in gear to control the motorcycle safely. Keeping the bike in gear means you can use engine braking and throttle to manage your speed on a downgrade, so control stays with you. Any statement that treats coasting as good for control, or as something you may legally do downhill, goes against that rule.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Coasting is good for control. — The handbook says you need to be in gear to control the vehicle safely, so coasting does not improve control.
- B. It's legal to coast downhill with the clutch in. — Coasting downhill with the clutch in is specifically named as illegal in the handbook.
- C. It's legal to coast downhill in neutral. — Coasting downhill in neutral is also named as illegal, so it is not a legal choice.
Remember it
Think of the gear as your link to control: if the bike is rolling downhill, the clutch should be out and the bike should be in gear.
Official handbook: ICBC Learn to Ride Smart, Chapter 6: see-think-do – do, p. 76