RSSDistributed by Bike Denver
“Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.”
- John Forester
Safe cycling follows three principles:
1. Be Seen
2. Be Predictable
3. Cooperate
The only way to do this is to follow the rules of the road.
The Colorado Traffic code says cyclists are to ride on the road as traffic. There are modifications to allow other vehicles to pass easily when safe, but the basic laws that apply to all other road users are the same laws that apply to cyclists.
Colorado Traffic Code:
Every person riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this article, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.
Road Cycling
Traffic flow works because it follows patterns that are set into law. The laws are not perfect, but problems that affect cycling are identified.
First Come First Served
Yield to all vehicles (bikes and motor vehicles) in front of you. You must yield to pedestrians in sidewalks, but yield to pedestrians elsewhere too. When entering a road yield to vehicles already on the road. You must allow cars to pass if they can pass safely. For your safety, you are not required to yield to or get out of the way of any vehicle behind that does not have red lights or a siren.
Go With The Flow
Ride with the flow of traffic on right side of the road. Motorists don’t look for cyclists traveling the wrong way. A driver entering a road will look left and will not see a cyclist approaching from the right.
Do not ride on the sidewalk. Sidewalk cycling is illegal in Denver and some other cities. Every driveway and alley is an intersection to a sidewalk cyclist, and a sidewalk cyclist is outside a driver’s normal vision. Riding the wrong way on a sidewalk is more hazardous than either error alone.
Sort By Speed
Position yourself according to your speed when between intersections. Colorado requires cyclists to ride on a suitable shoulder. A shoulder is not part of the roadway so re-enter the roadway before any intersection and move to the left of the shoulder before any alley or driveway.
Pass on the left. Ride on the right if you are slower than traffic. Ride in a lane if you are traveling at the speed of traffic, when there is no shoulder or when there is not enough shoulder room to share the lane with a motor vehicle. Riding in the lane forces a motorist to use the next lane to pass with sufficient clearance.
It’s Your Lane
Ride in a straight line. Check behind before moving closer to other traffic. Look over your shoulder, and use a hand signal before changing your line of travel. A mirror can help with timing.
Use your left arm to signal turns and lane changes. The right arm right turn signal is not recognized in Colorado.
Ride at least 6 inches from edge of the road and 12 inches from any roadside hazard so you can move away from cars when dodging obstacles, have room to wander, and have a safe spacing from hazards.
Only ride two abreast on a shoulder or when you can see there are no vehicles within 300 ft. behind.
At The Crossroads
Enter intersections in the proper lane for your destination. The rightmost lane or right turn lane is for right turns. The leftmost lane or left turn lane is for left turns. Use the rightmost through lane to go straight. If there is a right turn lane, ride between the through lane and right turn lane. You may also use an inverted “L” turn to turn left.
If the rightmost through lane may also turn right, move away from the curb. Motorists are required to make right turns from the rightmost portion of the lane. Do not ride to the right of any motorist that could turn right; ride closer to the cars going straight or take the whole lane.
Follow The Plan
Follow traffic signals, stop and yield signs, and traffic control. Otherwise, yield to vehicles already in an intersection, yield to a vehicles on the right arriving at the same time.
Being Seen At Night
A rear red reflector is required at all times. A front white headlight is required at night, but use a red taillight too. Headlights less than 5 watts may be legal, but may not be sufficient. Ten to 15 watts are best. Helmet mounted lights are effective, but do not meet the legal requirements for a bicycle headlight.
Path Cycling
Pedestrian rules apply on multi-user paths. As the fastest users of paths, cyclists must yield to all other path users. Anticipate unexpected actions by other path users. Limit your speed so you can stop within your sight distance. Give an audible warning before passing. Warn horse riders before passing with a bike trailer as trailers may spook some horses.
Colorado law requires cyclist to dismount and walk where a path crosses a road in a crosswalk.
Safe Riding Tips
Bicycle Helmets
A bicycle helmet will reduce minor injuries in minor accidents (such as those from simple falls) and may help in severe accidents. Safe riding will reduce accidents; helmets can only reduce injuries.
Be Alert to Hazards
Watch for errors by other vehicles. Slowing and lane position changes can indicate a potential maneuver. Front wheels give the first indication of a turn. Often speeding cars or cars slowing for a turn can be heard before they are seen.
Hazardous places to cycle include parking lots, shopping districts, around any kid sports (Little League, soccer, etc.), congested or blocked traffic, and anywhere traffic flows are not working.
For Additional Information:
This guide cannot be complete instructions for safe cycling, please read additional sources of information. Some of these were the references used to write this guide.
The Colorado Bicyclists Handbook, published by CDOT, is available free from bike shops, at bike events, and from Bicycle Colorado. Download it here.
Street Smarts by John Allen is published as the Pennsylvania Bicycling Guide
Effective Cycling by John Forester is the bible for lawful and safe road cycling. From MIT Press, ISBN 0-262-06159-7.
Colorado Traffic Code Section 42-4-1412 covers cycling traffic law and section 42-4-221 covers bicycle equipment. The Colorado Traffic Code is on the web here.
Colorado Cycling Organization web sites:
Bicycle Colorado: www.bicyclecolo.org
BikeDenver: www.bikedenver.org
The Bicycle Colorado site has links to other organizations.
Copyright © September 5, 2002 by BikeDenver.
You may copy this guide in electronic or printed form if you make no changes.
This guide is not for sale.
