6.14. Is towing a bicycle permitted?
UAЧи дозволено буксирування велосипеда?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safety of two-wheeled vehicles and actions that sharply increase the risk of falling and accidents. Towing on the road is always associated with jerks in coupling, changes in trajectory, and the need for very stable control, and for a bicycle as an unstable vehicle, this is especially dangerous. That is why the traffic rules specifically highlight restrictions for cyclists and moped drivers.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules about the movement of bicycles and mopeds, as well as terminology from the “General Provisions” section. Clause 6.6(g) directly establishes a prohibition: cyclists are not allowed to tow other vehicles, nor be towed themselves. And the definition of “towing” from clause 1.10 explains that it refers to moving one vehicle by another using a flexible/rigid coupling or by partial loading, which includes typical attempts to “pull” a bicycle with a rope or by other means.
During the theoretical exam, towing is often confused with transporting cargo in a bicycle trailer: if the trailer is structurally intended by the manufacturer for use with a bicycle and has a standard connection, this is a different situation, which is not the same as towing a bicycle as a vehicle. Therefore, the “allowed” option is incorrect: the Traffic Rules of Ukraine do not leave exceptions specifically for towing a bicycle or towing by a bicycle, and this prohibition is directly aimed at maintaining control and preventing accidents.
Clause 6.6 (subclauses e and ye) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
The cyclist is prohibited from:
e) towing bicycles;
ye) towing a trailer not intended for use with a bicycle.
Clause 1.10 (term “Towing”)
Towing — the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle, which does not belong to the operation of road trains (vehicle combinations), using a rigid or flexible coupling or by partially loading onto a platform or special supporting device.
Clause 1.10 (term “Bicycle”)
Bicycle — a vehicle, except for wheelchairs, that is propelled by the muscular power of a person who is on it.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that the Traffic Rules directly prohibit a cyclist from towing bicycles (clause 6.6 g), and “towing” is defined as the movement of one vehicle by another (clause 1.10).
Towing in the Traffic Rules is understood as moving one vehicle by another using a coupling or partial loading. A bicycle is defined as a vehicle, so a situation where a bicycle is pulled by another vehicle, or when a bicycle pulls another vehicle, falls under the concept of "towing."
There are specific prohibitions for cyclists, and among them, there are direct restrictions related to towing. The reason is practical: a bicycle is a two-wheeled and unstable vehicle, and during towing, its controllability deteriorates even more. For example, when moving at low speed or when the tow rope jerks, the bicycle easily loses balance, which creates danger for both the cyclist and other road users.
The Traffic Rules also prohibit actions that are essentially "hidden" towing, when a cyclist holds onto another vehicle while moving. This confirms the general logic of the rules: two-wheeled unstable vehicles should not be used for towing and should not be the object of towing.
It is also worth distinguishing between towing and transporting cargo in a special trailer that is structurally designed for use with a bicycle and has a standard connection. But the question is specifically about towing a bicycle, not about using a permitted bicycle trailer.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the Traffic Rules establish a ban on towing for bicycles as unstable two-wheeled vehicles, which increases the risk of loss of control and accidents.