This article has been edited by Cindy Anderson.
Governor Jared Polis recently signed the Colorado Safety Stop into law. Previously, bicyclists riding in traffic were required to obey the same traffic rules that drivers must follow. Under new Colorado law, cyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs and red traffic lights as stop signs, provided there is no oncoming traffic or pedestrians present.
As the Colorado weather is warming up, more people will be taking their bikes out on the road. In order for bicyclists and motorists to share the road safely, all parties will benefit from being informed about the regulations dictating how individuals on bikes and in vehicles are expected to interact when they encounter each other in traffic.
To help you better understand what this law means and how it will affect the flow of traffic, here is a quick breakdown of what this new bicycle safety legislation involves:
New Colorado Bicycle Laws: What Is the Colorado Safety Stop?
This new law applies to all bicyclists who are 15 years or older (or younger bicyclists who are riding with an adult). The most important aspects of this law are:
- Bicyclists are allowed to treat stop signs as yield signs. This means that persons riding bicycles who arrive at intersections controlled by stop signs can slow down to 10 mph (or less) and, after yielding, proceed only in the manner prescribed. In other words, individuals who travel on bikes are allowed to engage in rolling stops at stop signs, though they still must yield the right of way to vehicles and people on foot.
- When encountering red stop lights at intersections, bicyclists are now able to treat stop lights as stop signs. Bicyclists and electrical assisted bicycles do need to come to a complete stop, but after yielding to any oncoming traffic or pedestrians, they are able to proceed through the intersection or turn right before the light turns green. They are also able to turn left when one-way streets allow for left turns, while obeying any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic.
- The law doesn’t only apply to people on bikes. It also applies to individuals who use electric bikes, electric scooters, and other human-powered vehicles covered by the law (though mopeds are not included).
- Intersections with specific traffic lights or signs prohibiting the measures legalized in the new law are not subject to the rules of the new law. In other words, if there are clear instructions directed at individuals on bikes, e-bikes, or e-scooters, or limits set by devices or local ordinances adopted by local authorities, those instructions must be obeyed, even if they conflict with the new law.
How Will This New Colorado Bike Law Affect Drivers and Bicyclists?
Advocates of legalizing the Colorado Safety Stop are confident that the new law will make the roads safer for both drivers and cyclists, and reflect how Colorado’s bicycle laws prioritize rider safety and traffic flow. Research has shown that similar laws enacted in other states have minimized potential hazards by improving traffic flow of bicycles at intersections. With this new law, interactions are more predictable for moving vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians alike, which contributes to fewer collisions and property damage. Colorado law has also defined cyclists as vulnerable road users since 2019. Additionally, anticipated benefits include reduced traffic congestion and greater visibility of individuals on bikes, resulting in fewer injuries.
In 2018, Colorado passed a law that allowed individual counties and municipalities to legalize safety stops for bicyclists. Some towns and cities implemented these changes, while others did not. This led to confusion among motorists and bicyclists about where safety stops were legal. House Bill No. 1246, adopted by the fifty sixth general assembly, provided the statewide legislative background for making the rule uniform. Bicyclists can still receive tickets for violations like motor vehicle drivers, though those violations do not add penalty points to a driver’s license. It did not expand duties to maintain highways or alter the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act; legalizing the procedure on a statewide level should simplify things for all parties on the road, including law enforcement officers. Recent Colorado bicycle regulations also include e-bike safety updates, and the state recognizes Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes.
What Other Steps Can Drivers Take to Safely Share the Road with Bicyclists and Maintain a Safe Distance?
Other safety measures and regulations that motorists should keep in mind when sharing the road with a person operating a bicycle and any other vehicle include:
- Staying out of bike lanes unless making a right-hand turn. Bicyclists must ride with traffic, not against it. Drivers are not allowed to park in bike lanes or use them to pass another driver. Motorists must yield to cyclists in bike lanes, including at intersections, and it is illegal to obstruct a bike lane. However, making a right turn requires drivers to turn from a point as close to the curb as possible. Because of this, vehicles are allowed to enter empty bike lanes when turning right. Where there is a dedicated right turn lane, traffic proceeding in the same direction should yield before the turn is made. In order to do this safely, drivers must look over their right shoulders to ensure no bicyclist is present. Drivers should also check for cyclists before opening a vehicle door to avoid dooring. If one is present, the driver must allow the cyclist to proceed straight before turning, and the cyclist may continue straight from the right hand curb when lawful. On one-way roads, a person riding a bicycle may also use the left hand curb, left hand side, left hand portion, or left hand lane as conditions allow.
- Allowing at least three feet of space between the widest part of the vehicle and the widest part of the cyclist when passing a bike. Drivers must allow at least 3 feet when passing a cyclist and may cross a double solid yellow line to do so when safe. If there is traffic, a driver must slow down and wait until they can safely pass the cyclist. Vehicles may not force a bicyclist off the roadway. A bicyclist is required to ride far enough to the right to allow normal and reasonable traffic flow, except when overtaking another vehicle, avoiding hazards, or taking necessary precautions around vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, or animals. This helps preserve reasonable movement for everyone using marked traffic lanes. Careless drivers who injure cyclists may lose driving privileges.
- Brushing up on the hand signals cyclists use. Just like drivers, bicyclists must signal their turns at least 100 feet in advance. They can be fined for failing to use required hand signals, and a person cycling must keep at least one hand on the handlebars while riding. An arm extended horizontally indicates the cyclist will be turning left. A left hand pointed downward at a 90 degree angle means the cyclist will be stopping. A right hand extended outward or a left hand pointed up at a 90 degree angle indicates an upcoming right turn. An electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn follows the same signaling rules. Bicyclists may not attach themselves to a moving motor vehicle.
- Being cautious at night. Bicyclists can be difficult to see at night, so motorists should be extra aware of their surroundings when driving after sundown. Bicyclists must use lights from sunset to sunrise, including a front light visible from 500 feet.
Closing Thoughts
Hopefully this information helps you better understand the Colorado Safety Stop, and cyclists may ride two abreast so long as they do not impede traffic. Regardless of whether you are a bicyclist, it’s important for all parties using the road to stay up to date on changes in traffic regulations. Riders must also follow local ordinances regulating sidewalk riding and dismount where required. Bicyclists cannot carry more passengers than the bicycle is designed for. Being informed goes a long way toward ensuring that our Colorado roads remain safe for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike.
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