Source: https://manmaxlaw.com/colorado-bicycle-laws/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 22:37:09+00:00

Document:
Set forth below is a compilation of Colorado Statutes related to the riding and operation of bicycles on roads and sidewalks in Colorado. The main emphasis of these laws is that bicycles shall have the same rights and obligations as any other vehicle on the road. Certain special rules apply to bicycles and motorized vehicles, but both must follow the rules of the road as defined by Colorado statutes.
(2) It is the intent of the general assembly that nothing contained in House Bill No. 1246, enacted at the second regular session of the fifty-sixth general assembly, shall in any way be construed to modify or increase the duty of the department of transportation or any political subdivision to sign or maintain highways or sidewalks or to affect or increase the liability of the state of Colorado or any political subdivision under the “Colorado Governmental Immunity Act”, article 10 of title 24, C.R.S.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (8), the transportation commission and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic control devices to be placed on roadways and thereby require and direct that a specific course be traveled.
(d) Deleted by Laws 2005, Ch. 301, § 1, eff. July 1, 2005.
(14) Except as authorized by section 42-4-111, the rider of an electrical assisted bicycle shall not use the electrical motor on a bike or pedestrian path.
Added by Laws 1994, S.B.94-1, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2005, Ch. 301, § 1, eff. July 1, 2005; Laws 2009, Ch. 239, § 6, eff. Aug. 5, 2009; Laws 2009, Ch. 281, §§ 61, 62, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Laws 2009, Ch. 369, § 139, eff. Oct. 1, 2009.
“Effective date–applicability. This act shall take effect January 1, 1995, and shall apply to offenses committed on or after said date.
“(II) When riding on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(1) Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and, upon roadways having width for not more than one lane of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible.
(b) Allow the bicyclist at least a three-foot separation between the right side of the driver’s vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the left side of the bicyclist at all times.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
(c) Upon a one-way street or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement where the roadway is free from obstructions and marked for two or more lanes of moving vehicles.
(1.5) The driver of a motor vehicle upon a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes, when overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction and riding on the left-hand side of the road, shall allow the bicyclist at least a three-foot separation between the left side of the driver’s vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the right side of the bicyclist at all times.
(2) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
Added by Laws 1994, S.B.94-1, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2009, Ch. 239, § 4, eff. Aug. 5, 2009.
(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits careless driving as described in section 42-4-1402.
Added by Laws 2009, Ch. 239, § 5, eff. Aug. 5, 2009.
(1) No other provision of this part 2 and no provision of part 3 of this article shall apply to a bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD or to equipment for use on a bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD except those provisions in this article made specifically applicable to such a vehicle.
(2) Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD in use at the times described in section 42-4-204 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front.
(3) Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD shall be equipped with a red reflector of a type approved by the department, which shall be visible for six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
(4) Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD when in use at the times described in section 42-4-204 shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides for six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle or, in lieu of such reflective material, with a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least five hundred feet.
(5) A bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by subsections (2) to (4) of this section.
(7) Every bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes that will enable its rider to stop the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle within twenty-five feet from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.
(8) A person engaged in the business of selling bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles at retail shall not sell any bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle unless the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle has an identifying number permanently stamped or cast on its frame.
(9) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
Added by Laws 1994, S.B.94-1, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2009, Ch. 281, § 45, eff. Oct. 1, 2009.
Added by Laws 1994, S.B.94-1, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2009, Ch. 281, § 57, eff. Oct. 1, 2009.
(2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection (2), any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
Added by Laws 1994, S.B.94-1, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2009, Ch. 281, § 58, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Laws 2010, Ch. 243, § 2, eff. May 21, 2010.
(1) “Acceleration lane” means a speed-change lane, including tapered areas, for the purpose of enabling a vehicle entering a roadway to increase its speed to a rate at which it can more safely merge with through traffic.
(2) “Administrator” means the property tax administrator.
(3) “Alley” means a street or highway intended to provide access to the rear or side of lots or buildings in urban areas and not intended for the purpose of through vehicular traffic.
(4) “Apportioned registration” means registration of a vehicle pursuant to a reciprocal agreement under which the fees paid for registration of such vehicle are ultimately divided among the several jurisdictions in which the vehicle travels, based upon the number of miles traveled by the vehicle in each jurisdiction or upon some other agreed criterion.
(4.5) “Appurtenance” means a piece of equipment that is affixed or attached to a motor vehicle or trailer and is used for a specific purpose or task, including awnings, support hardware, and extractable equipment. “Appurtenance” does not include any item or equipment that is temporarily affixed or attached to the exterior of a motor vehicle for the purpose of transporting such vehicle.
(5) “Authorized agent” means the officer of a county or city and county designated by law to issue annual registrations of vehicles and to collect any registration or license fee imposed thereon by law.
(7) “Authorized service vehicle” means such highway or traffic maintenance vehicles as are publicly owned and operated on a highway by or for a governmental agency the function of which requires the use of service vehicle warning lights as prescribed by state law and such other vehicles having a public service function, including, but not limited to, public utility vehicles and tow trucks, as determined by the department of transportation under section 42-4-214(5). Some vehicles may be designated as both an authorized emergency vehicle and an authorized service vehicle.
(8) “Automobile” means any motor vehicle.
(b) A person’s breath alcohol content, expressed in grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath as shown by analysis of the person’s breath.
(9) “Base jurisdiction” means the state, province, or other jurisdiction which receives, apportions, and remits to other jurisdictions moneys paid for registration of a vehicle pursuant to a reciprocal agreement governing registration of vehicles.
(10) “Bicycle” means a vehicle propelled by human power applied to pedals upon which a person may ride having two tandem wheels or two parallel wheels and one forward wheel, all of which are more than fourteen inches in diameter.
Photo: Some rights reserved by John Loo.

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