A Cyclist’s Guide to Colorado’s Right-of-Way Laws (And How to Avoid an Accident)
Colorado’s stunning landscape and vibrant cities make it a paradise for cyclists. But sharing the road with multi-ton vehicles means that understanding the rules of the road isn’t just about following the law—it’s about survival. Confusion over a cyclist’s rights and duties is a primary cause of tension and, too often, tragic accidents.
In 2022, Colorado took a major step forward in cyclist safety by passing the “Colorado Safety Stop” law, fundamentally changing how cyclists navigate intersections. This, combined with existing laws, creates a framework designed to protect vulnerable road users.
At Flanagan Law, we champion the rights of injured cyclists. We created this definitive guide to clarify your rights-of-way, explain how the new laws work in practice, and provide actionable tips to help you avoid a dangerous collision.
The Foundation: Cyclists Have the Same Rights and Duties
The most important principle of Colorado bicycle law is straightforward: a person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle. This means you are a legal road user, not an obstacle. You have the right to be on the road, and you also have the responsibility to obey traffic laws.
The Game Changer: The Colorado Safety Stop (2022)
This law recognizes the unique physics of cycling and is designed to improve safety and traffic flow at intersections. It allows cyclists (and users of other low-speed conveyances like e-scooters) to perform two key maneuvers:
- Treat a Stop Sign as a Yield Sign: When approaching a stop sign, a cyclist is no longer required to come to a complete stop. You must slow down to a reasonable speed (10 mph or less), yield the right-of-way to any traffic or pedestrians already in or approaching the intersection, and then you may cautiously proceed without stopping.
- Treat a Red Light as a Stop Sign: When approaching a red light, you must come to a complete stop. After stopping and yielding to all crossing traffic and pedestrians, you may then proceed straight or make a right turn through the red light. Left turns on red are only permitted if turning onto a one-way street.
This is not a license to blow through intersections. Safety is the key. If there is cross-traffic or a pedestrian, you must yield. The purpose is to allow cyclists to clear intersections more efficiently and reduce their time in a driver’s blind spot.
Key Right-of-Way Rules Every Cyclist Must Know
Beyond the Safety Stop, several other laws govern interactions between bikes and cars.
- Lane Positioning: By law, you must ride as far to the right as is “practicable” or safe. However, you are legally allowed to—and should—move further into the lane (“take the lane”) to:
- Prepare for a left turn.
- Avoid hazards like potholes, debris, or a car door opening.
- When the lane is too narrow for a car to safely pass you within the lane.
- The Three-Foot Rule: A motor vehicle driver must provide at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. They are not to pass at all if they cannot do so safely.
- Riding Two Abreast: You are legally allowed to ride two abreast (side-by-side) in a single lane. However, you must not impede the “normal and reasonable” flow of traffic. On a two-lane road with no shoulder, this often means returning to a single file to allow cars to pass safely.
- Sidewalks and Crosswalks: While state law generally permits sidewalk riding, many cities (including Denver) have local ordinances restricting it, especially in business districts. When you are on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, you must yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and give an audible signal (like “on your left!”) before passing.
Understanding and asserting these rights is crucial. When a driver’s negligence leads to a bicycle accident, knowing the law is the first step toward holding them accountable. [Link “bicycle accident” to your /bicycle-accidents/ page]
Frequently Asked Questions
If I use the Safety Stop, can a driver still be at fault for hitting me?
Yes. The Safety Stop is legal when performed safely. If you have properly yielded to existing traffic and a driver then fails to see you and causes a collision (for example, by speeding up unexpectedly or making a turn without looking), they are still negligent.
What does “impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic” mean when riding two abreast?
This is a judgment call. On a multi-lane road, two cyclists in the right lane are generally not impeding traffic. On a narrow, single-lane road with a line of cars behind you, it would be reasonable to move to single file to allow them to pass. It does not mean you are required to ride on the shoulder or get off the road.
Are helmets required for cyclists in Colorado?
No. Colorado does not have a statewide helmet law for bicyclists of any age. However, using a helmet is strongly recommended as one of the most effective ways to prevent a serious head injury in the event of a crash.
Do I have to use hand signals for every turn?
The law requires you to signal continuously for the last 100 feet before a turn, unless you need your hand to safely control the bicycle. Your safety comes first. If you are braking or navigating a hazard, you are not expected to signal.
What is the safest way to make a left turn on a busy road?
You have two legal options. You can either move into the left-turn lane and make the turn like a car, or you can perform a “box turn.” To do a box turn, you ride straight through the intersection to the far corner, stop, turn your bike to face the new direction, and wait for the light to turn green. The box turn is often the safest method on multi-lane, high-traffic roads.
Knowing your rights is the first step; defending them is the next. If you’ve been injured in a cycling accident by a negligent driver, don’t let their insurance company dictate the outcome. Contact Flanagan Law for a free consultation. We understand the laws that protect cyclists, and we fight to ensure you get the compensation you need to get back on the road.
