Where Bicyclists Are Legally Allowed to Ride on Colorado Roadways
Bicycles are 'vehicles' in Colorado and may ride on most roads. Here's where you can ride, when you can take the lane, and the hazards you don't have to ride through.
By Attorney Dan D'Angelo
Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist
A bicycle is considered a 'vehicle' in Colorado and may ride on most roads unless prohibited. Bicycles are prohibited from certain parts of interstates and highways like the I-70 Eisenhower Tunnel. So where on a roadway can a cyclist legally ride?
Like motor vehicles, bicycles must be driven on the right half of the roadway with some exceptions like passing or avoiding hazards. If riding at the 'normal speed of traffic,' a bicyclist may ride in any lane just like a motor vehicle — a bike can match traffic speed when descending or on slower city streets (Denver's default city limit is 20 mph).
If riding at less than the normal speed of traffic, the bicyclist must ride in the right-hand lane except when:
- Preparing for a left turn at an intersection, private roadway, or driveway
- Overtaking a slower vehicle
- Taking reasonably necessary precautions to avoid hazards or road conditions
- Riding on the left-hand portion of a dedicated right-turn lane even if not turning right
- On a one-way roadway with two or more lanes, riding as near to the left-hand curb as the rider judges safe
A bicyclist is not expected or required to ride over or through hazards at the edge of the roadway, or to ride without a reasonable safety margin on the right or left.
Reasons to Move Toward the Center of the Lane
- Increase visibility to vehicles crossing in or in front of you from stop signs, alleys, parking lots, or turning movements
- Prevent an unsafe pass on a narrow street or blind curve
- Avoid car doors opening into the bike lane
- Avoid uncleared winter ice and snow on the road edge or bike lane
- Avoid debris like sand, gravel, broken glass, branches, or garbage cans
- Avoid pot holes, sewer grates, storm drains, or gutters
- Unpaved shoulders or sharp drop-offs
- Bike lane blocked by a parked vehicle or construction sign
- Bike lane ending, forcing a merge into the traffic lane
- Crossing railroad or light rail tracks straight on to avoid catching a tire
- Preventing a 'right hook' turn in front of you at an intersection
- Approaching a traffic circle or roundabout
Have a question about your case?
Attorney Dan D'Angelo offers free consultations for brain injury and cycling accident victims throughout Colorado.
About the Author
Attorney Dan D'Angelo
Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist
Attorney Dan D'Angelo founded D'Angelo Law Office, P.C. in 2009 and Bike Brain Law to focus exclusively on traumatic brain injury and cycling injury cases in Colorado. An avid cyclist himself, Dan combines deep TBI science knowledge with hands-on cycling experience to build winning cases against insurance companies and corporations that put profits over safety.
- Practicing Colorado personal injury attorney since 2009
- Focused practice in TBI and bicycle injury litigation
- Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injury victims
- Avid road and commuter cyclist
