Cycling Laws

Ignorance of the law is no excuse... Do you know the laws in the areas you ride?  Where you work, where you live, where you commute? 

If not, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the following state and local/municipal laws and codes in common and popular cycling areas in the Denver-Boulder areas (we've bolded the notable portions)! 

Colorado State Statutes applicable to cycling: 

CRS §42-4-1412: Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles

(1) Every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted 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. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and section 42-4-221, and, when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles and electrical assisted bicycles as provided in section 42-4-111.

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(3) No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.

(4) No person riding upon any bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any motor vehicle upon a roadway.

(5)(a) Any person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride in the right-hand lane, subject to the following conditions:

(I) If the right-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the right as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.

(II) A bicyclist may use a lane other than the right-hand lane when:

(A) Preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private roadway or driveway;

(B) Overtaking a slower vehicle; or

(C) Taking reasonably necessary precautions to avoid hazards or road conditions.

(III) Upon approaching an intersection where right turns are permitted and there is a dedicated right-turn lane, a bicyclist may ride on the left-hand portion of the dedicated right-turn lane even if the bicyclist does not intend to turn right.

(b) A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:

(I) Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or

(II) Ride without a reasonable safety margin on the right-hand side of the roadway.

(c) A person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as judged safe by the bicyclist, subject to the following conditions:

(I) If the left-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the left as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.

(II) A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:

(A) Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or

(B) Ride without a reasonable safety margin on the left-hand side of the roadway.

(6)(a) Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

(b) Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

(7) A person operating a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

(8)(a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in sections 42-4-901(1), 42-4-903, and 42-4-1007 or may make a left turn in the manner prescribed in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8).

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(9)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (9), every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall signal the intention to turn or stop in accordance with section 42-4-903; except that a person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may signal a right turn with the right arm extended horizontally.

(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle before turning and shall be given while the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle.

(10)(a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.

(b) A person shall not ride a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.

(c) A person riding or walking a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to, the rights and duties granted and required by section 42-4-802.

(11)(a) A person may park a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or local ordinance.

(b) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

(c) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.

(d) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another such bicycle or bicycles near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

(e) In all other respects, bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform to the provisions of part 12 of this article regulating the parking of vehicles.

(12)(a) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense; except that section 42-2-127 shall not apply.

(b) Any person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle who violates any provision of this article other than this section which is applicable to such a vehicle and for which a penalty is specified shall be subject to the same specified penalty as any other vehicle; except that section 42-2-127 shall not apply.

(13) Upon request, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall complete a report concerning an injury or death incident that involves a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on the roadways of the state, even if such accident does not involve a motor vehicle.

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§ 42-4-1003. Overtaking a vehicle on the left

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(b)

The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall 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…

§ 42-4-221. Bicycle and personal mobility device equipment

… (2)

Every bicycle, … in use at the times described in section 42-4-204 (see below) 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, … 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, … 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.

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(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.

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§ 42-4-204. When lighted lamps are required

(1) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state, between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as required by this article for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles…

Review The Entire Code

Many local municipalities adopt the CDOT Model Traffic Code in full or in part.  Therefore you should know what the Model Code states in terms of cycling regulations (note that the section numbers usually mirror the statutory sections).

1003. Overtaking a vehicle on the left.

(1) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to the limitations, exceptions, and special rules stated in this section and sections 1004 to 1008:

(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

(b) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall 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.

(c) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of the driver’s vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction. 

1008.5. Crowding or threatening bicyclist.

(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not, in a careless and imprudent manner, drive the vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist.

(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits careless driving as described in section 1402. 

1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.

(1) Every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this Code, except as to special regulations in this Code and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and section 221, and, when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles and electrical assisted bicycles as provided in section 111.

(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”, Code 10 of title 24, C.R.S.

(3) No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.

(4) No person riding upon any bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any motor vehicle upon a roadway.

(5) (a) Any person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride in the right-hand lane, subject to the following conditions:

(I) If the right-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the right as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.

(II) A bicyclist may use a lane other than the right-hand lane when:
(A) Preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private roadway or driveway;
(B) Overtaking a slower vehicle; or
(C) Taking reasonably necessary precautions to avoid hazards or road conditions.
(III) Upon approaching an intersection where right turns are permitted and there is a dedicated right-turn lane, a bicyclist may ride on the left-hand portion of the dedicated right-turn lane even if the bicyclist does not intend to turn right.

(b) A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:

(I) Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or

(II) Ride without a reasonable safety margin on the right-hand side of the roadway.

(c) A person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as judged safe by the bicyclist, subject to the following conditions:

(I) If the left-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the left as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.

(II) A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:

(A) Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or

(B) Ride without a reasonable safety margin on the left-hand side of the roadway.

(6) (a) Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

(b) Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

(7) A person operating a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

(8) (a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in sections 901 (1), 903, and 1007 or may make a left turn in the manner prescribed in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8).

(b) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall approach the turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist shall stop, as much as practicable, out of the way of traffic. After stopping, the bicyclist shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway that the bicyclist had been using. After yielding and complying with any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.

(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.

(9) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (9), every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall signal the intention to turn or stop in accordance with section 903; except that a person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may signal a right turn with the right arm extended horizontally.

(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle before turning and shall be given while the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle.

(10) (a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.

(b) A person shall not ride a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.

(c) A person riding or walking a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to, the rights and duties granted and required by section 802.

(d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2005, p. 1353, § 1, effective July 1, 2005.)

(11) (a) A person may park a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or local ordinance.

(b) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

(c) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.

(d) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another such bicycle or bicycles near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

(e) In all other respects, bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform to the provisions of part 12 of this Code regulating the parking of vehicles.

(12) (a) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense; except that section 127 shall not apply.

(b) Any person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle who violates any provision of this Code other than this section which is applicable to such a vehicle and for which a penalty is specified shall be subject to the same specified penalty as any other vehicle; except that section 127 shall not apply.

(13) Upon request, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall complete a report concerning an injury or death incident that involves a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on the roadways of the state, even if such accident does not involve a motor vehicle.

(14) Except as authorized by section 111, the rider of an electrical assisted bicycle shall not use the electrical motor on a bike or pedestrian path. 

Review The Entire Code

Arvada has adopted the Model Traffic Code- with some amendments:

Sec. 54-37. - MTC Part 10 "Driving - Overtaking - Passing" amended.

The Model Traffic Code is hereby amended by adding subsection (3) to section 1007 of Part 10 to read as follows:

1007. Driving on roadways laned for traffic.

(3) No person shall ride or operate a motorcycle or motor-driven vehicle within a bicycle lane or path designated for the use of bicycles except for maintenance, construction or emergency vehicles, temporarily disabled vehicles, electrical assisted bicycles as defined in C.R.S. § 42-1-102(28.5), vehicles executing a legal parking maneuver, passing a vehicle turning left, and buses entering or leaving the bicycle lane to pick up or discharge passengers.

(Ord. No. 4384, § 2, 4-15-2013 )

7-5-1.  Application of Traffic Laws to Bicycles. 

Every person driving a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle has all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this title except as modified by this chapter.

Ordinance No. 7021 (1999)

7-5-2.  Required Method of Riding Bicycle. 

(a)  No person driving a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle shall ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.

(b)  No bicycle or electric assisted bicycle shall be used by either the driver or any passenger to carry more persons than the number for which it is designed or equipped.

(c)  An adult riding on a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle may carry a child securely attached to the person in a backpack or sling.

Ordinance Nos. 5241 (1989); 7021 (1999)

7-5-3.  Carrying Articles. 

Every person driving a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times and shall not carry any package, bundle or article that obstructs the driver's vision or prevents the use of both hands in the control and operation of the bicycle.

Ordinance No. 7021 (1999)

7-5-4.  Bicycle to Be Driven to Right. 

(a)  Every person driving a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle upon a roadway at a speed so slow as to impede or block the normal and legal forward movement of traffic proceeding immediately behind such bicycle shall drive within the right four feet of the right-hand through lane of the roadway, except under any of the following conditions:

(1)  When driving in a bike lane;

(2)  When preparing for a left turn;

(3)  When reasonably necessary for safety because of debris or other obstruction on or a defect in the surface of the pavement, but the bicyclist shall continue to drive as close to the right side of the roadway as is practicable;

(4)  When overtaking and passing on the left of another vehicle; or

(5)  On a one-way street, when driving in the left four feet of the left-hand through lane.

(b)  A bicycle or electric assisted bicycle may be driven on a paved shoulder if such driving does not violate any section of this title for passing or direction of travel.

Ordinance Nos. 5241 (1989); 7021 (1999)

7-5-5.  Use of Crosswalk. 

(a)  No person shall immediately approach, enter, or traverse a crosswalk which spans a roadway at a speed greater than eight miles per hour.

(b)  Persons driving bicycles across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk from a sidewalk or path, and persons driving electric assisted bicycles across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk from a multi-use path where such vehicles are permitted, shall have the duties applicable to pedestrians under the same circumstances.

(c)  Such persons similarly have the rights of a pedestrian, but only if the bicyclist was entitled to use the sidewalk or path, and the approach, entry, and traversal of the crosswalk are made at a speed no greater than a reasonable crossing speed so that other drivers may anticipate the necessity to yield when required.

Ordinance Nos. 5241 (1989); 5920 (1997); 7824 (2012); 7941 (2013)

7-5-6.  Driving More Than Two Abreast on Path Prohibited. 

No person shall drive a bicycle upon a path adjacent to more than one other bicycle.

Ordinance No. 5241 (1989)

7-5-7.  Left Turns by Bicycles. 

(a)  The driver of a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle turning left in accordance with Section 7-4-25, "Improper Turn Prohibited," B.R.C. 1981, may approach the turn anywhere within any separate left turn lane and may finish the turn by moving to the right lane as soon as it can be done in safety.

(b)  In addition to any other method specified in this title, the driver of a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle may make a left turn by crossing the intersection as close as practicable to the right-hand curb line to the far curb and then turning left to proceed in the proper position on the other roadway. A person making a left turn under the provisions of this subsection may do so only after complying with all the obligations of drivers of vehicles approaching in the new direction on the other roadway, including, without limitation, the duties to stop and yield in response to traffic control signs or signals.

Ordinance No. 7021 (1999)

7-5-8.  Bicycle Turn Signals. 

The driver of a bicycle is excepted from giving the hand and arm signal continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle or electric assisted bicycle, but it shall be given for a substantial period while stopped waiting to turn. The driver of a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle may signal a right turn by extending the right hand and arm horizontally.

Ordinance No. 7021 (1999)

7-5-9.  Bicycle Must Yield Right of Way and Obey Traffic Control Devices on Sidewalk, Crosswalk, or Path. 

(a)  A person driving a bicycle on a sidewalk, a crosswalk, or a path, and any person driving an electric assisted bicycle on a multi-use path, shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking or passing any pedestrian.

(b)  If any traffic control device is in place alongside of or on a sidewalk or a path, no driver of a bicycle or pedestrian, and no driver of an electric assisted bicycle on a multi-use path where such vehicles are permitted, shall fail to obey the requirements of the device.

Ordinance Nos. 5241 (1989); 7941 (2013)

7-5-10.  Driving Bicycle on Sidewalk Prohibited. 

(a)  No person shall drive a bicycle or use a skateboard, rollerblade, or roller ski upon and along a sidewalk except:

(1)  Upon sidewalks in residential or public districts zoned RR-1, RR-2, RE, RL, RM, RMX, RH-1, RH-2, RH-3, RH-4, RH-5, MH, MU-1, MU-3 or P; or

(2)  Upon sidewalks designated as paths.

(b)  No person shall drive a bicycle on the mall. This subsection does not apply to an entertainer who is performing an act on a unicycle.

(c)  No person shall drive a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk where such use is prohibited by a traffic control device.

Ordinance Nos. 5241 (1989); 5930 (1997); 7522 (2007)

7-5-11.  Bicycle Headlight and Reflector Required. 

(a)  No person shall drive a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle between sunset and sunrise unless it is equipped with a red rear reflector mounted on the bicycle so located and of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible for six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

(b)  No person shall drive a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle between sunset and sunrise or at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead, unless it is equipped with a lamp mounted on the front of the bicycle and emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front.

Ordinance Nos. 4913 (1985); 5241 (1989); 7021 (1999)

7-5-12.  Bicycle Brake Required. 

No person shall drive a bicycle or electric assisted bicycle unless it is equipped with a brake system which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within twenty-five feet from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

Ordinance Nos. 5241 (1989); 7021 (1999)

7-5-13.  Definition of Walk. 

Any requirement placed on a walking pedestrian under this chapter applies to every pedestrian.

7-5-14.  Pedestrian or Bicyclist Entering Roadway. 

No pedestrian or bicyclist shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk, run, or drive into the path of a moving vehicle that is both so close as to constitute an immediate hazard and is not required to stop or yield by a traffic control sign or signal.

Ordinance No. 5241 (1989)

7-5-15.  Pedestrian Obedience to Traffic Signal Required. 

(a)  Except as otherwise directed by a pedestrian traffic control signal, no pedestrian shall enter the roadway at an intersection controlled by a steady traffic control signal unless a circular green signal is displayed governing the direction of travel.

(b)  Where a pedestrian control signal exhibiting "Walk" or "Don't Walk" word or symbol indications is in operation, no pedestrian shall enter the roadway unless a steady or flashing "Walk" indication is displayed governing the direction of travel.

(c)  The prohibitions of this section apply to a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk, in the intersection, or within fifty feet of the crosswalk.

(d)  Whenever a traffic signal system provides for the stopping of all vehicular traffic and the exclusive movement of pedestrians and "Walk" and "Don't Walk" word or symbol indications control such pedestrian movement, pedestrians may cross in any direction between corners of the intersection offering the shortest route within the boundaries of the intersection while the walk indication is exhibited.

(e)  Any pedestrian who has lawfully entered a crosswalk governed by traffic control signals may complete crossing the roadway notwithstanding any indication subsequently displayed.

(f)  No pedestrian shall enter a roadway where a warning traffic control device is located unless such device is activated. However, a pedestrian possessing the right of way who fails to activate a warning device or who is within the crosswalk upon the expiration of such warning continues to possess the right of way.

Ordinance No. 7824 (2012)

7-5-23.  Bicycle Racing Prohibited. 

No person shall engage with another bicyclist or person driving any other vehicle in any bicycle race, speed or acceleration contest, or exhibition of speed or acceleration on a street, a sidewalk, or a path except as authorized in Paragraph 2-2-11(b)(16), B.R.C. 1981.

Ordinance No. 5241 (1989)

7-5-24.  Approved Bicycle Races. 

Bicycle racing shall not be unlawful when a racing event has been approved by the city manager. It is a specific de-fense to a charge of violating any provision of Chapter 7-2, "General Provisions," 7-3," Condition of Vehicles," 7-4," Operation of Vehicles," or 7-5," Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Animal Traffic," B.R.C. 1981, that the driver was racing as a participant in a bicycle race authorized under Paragraph 2-2-11(b)(16), B.R.C. 1981, and was driving in accordance with such authorization. This defense does not apply to charges of violating Paragraphs 7-4-52(a)(1), 7-4-56(a)(1) and Sections 7-4-66, "Operation of Vehicle on Approach of Authorized Emergency Vehicle," 7-4-67, "Eluding," 7-4-68, "Following or Parking Near Fire Truck Prohibited," 7-4-69, "Crossing Fire Hose Prohibited," or 7-4-70, "Obedience to Peace Officers and Firefighters Directing Traffic Required," B.R.C. 1981.

Ordinance No. 5241 (1989)

7-5-25.  Electric Assisted Bicycles. 

No person shall activate the motor of an electric assisted bicycle on any bike or pedestrian path or on a recreational trail except where permitted by a rule adopted by the city manager in accordance with Chapter 1-4, "Rulemaking." B.R.C. 1981. Such rule adopted by the manager shall not include paths or trails on open space land as defined in the City Charter Section 170.

The City of Centennial has adopted the Model Traffic Code except for a few amendments:
Sec. 8-1-30. - Amendments. Added

The Model Traffic Code is adopted as if set out at length, save and except the following amendments:

... 

(16) Section 1412 of the Model Traffic Code, entitled "Operation of bicycles and other human power vehicles," is repealed and readopted to read as follows in its entirety:

"1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.

"(1) Every person riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this code, except as to special regulations in this code and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and Section 221, and, when using streets and highways within this local government, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles.

"(2) Reserved.

"(3) No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.

"(4) No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any motor vehicle upon a roadway.

"(5) Any person riding a bicycle shall ride in the right-hand lane. When being overtaken by another vehicle, such person shall ride as close to the right-hand side as practicable. Where a paved shoulder suitable for bicycle riding is present, persons operatingbicycles shall ride on the paved shoulder. These provisions shall apply, except under any of the following situations:

"(a) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

"(b) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;

"(c) When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or surface hazards.

"(6)(a) Persons operating bicycles on roadways shall ride single file; except that riding no more than two (2) abreast is permitted in the following circumstances:

"(i) When riding two (2) abreast will not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic; or

"(ii) When riding on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

"(b) Persons riding two (2) abreast shall ride within a single lane.

"(7) A person operating a bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

"(8)(a) A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in sections 901(1), 903, and 1007 of the Model Traffic Code or may make a left turn in the manner prescribed in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8).

"(b) A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall approach the turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist shall stop, as much as practicable, out of the way of traffic. After stopping, the bicyclist shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway that the bicyclist had been using. After yielding and complying with any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.

"(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (8), the City may cause official traffic control devices to be placed on roadways and thereby require and direct that a specific course be traveled.

"(9)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (9), every person riding a bicycle shall signal his intention to turn or stop in accordance with the provisions of section 903 of the Model Traffic Code; except that a person riding a bicycle may signal a right turn with the right arm extended horizontally.

"(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the bicycle before turning and shall be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

"(10)(a) A person riding a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.

"(b) A person shall not ride a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding abicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.

"(c) A person riding or walking a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to, the rights and duties granted and required by section 802 of this Model Traffic Code.

"(11)(a) A person may park a bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or local ordinance.

"(b) A bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

"(c) A bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.

"(d) A bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another bicycle or bicycles near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

"(e) In all other respects, bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform to the provisions of part 12 of the Model Traffic Code regulating the parking of vehicles."

Sec. 11-7-30. - Centennial Center Park; prohibited activities.

...

(10) Ride bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, roller blades or similar wheeled recreational equipment.

Defined: BICYCLE: Every vehicle propelled solely by human power applied to pedals upon which any person may ride having two (2) tandem wheels or two (2) parallel wheels and one forward wheel, all of which are more than fourteen inches (14") in diameter.

10.19.101: TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY TO BICYCLE RIDERS: 

A. No person riding a bicycle shall violate any provision of this chapter, except those provisions of this chapter, which, by their very nature, can have no application. All bicycle riders shall also comply with special rules set forth in this article.

B. Every person operating a bicycle shall also comply with the provisions of article 4, title 42, Colorado Revised Statutes as it relates to the operation of bicycles.

C. Whenever the word "vehicle" is used in any of the driving rules set forth in this chapter that are applicable to bicycle riders, that term shall include bicycles.

D. In citing a person with a violation of this section, the summons and complaint shall specify the provisions of this chapter or of article 4, title 42, Colorado Revised Statutes alleged to have been violated. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.102: OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES: 

A. Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

B. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any sign, except when the person dismounts from the bicycle to make any turn, in which event the person shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.103: RIDING ON BICYCLES: 

A. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.

B. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.104: RIDING ON ROADWAYS AND BICYCLE PATHS: 

A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or onto a private roadway or driveway or when reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall exercise care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.105: SPEED: 

No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.106: ENTERING OR EMERGING FROM ALLEY OR DRIVEWAY: 

The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right of way to all pedestrians on the sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway as may be necessary to avoid collision. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.107: RIDING ON SIDEWALKS: 

A. When authorized signs are erected giving notice, no person shall operate a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or similar device upon a sidewalk.

B. Whenever any person is operating a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or similar device upon a sidewalk, the person shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing the pedestrian.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or similar device on any sidewalk:

1. Either bordering on or included within the area bordered on the north by Boulder Street, on the south by Vermijo Avenue, on the east by Weber Street and on the west by Cascade Avenue.

2. Either bordering on or included within Colorado Avenue bordered on the east by 24th Street and on the west by 27th Street.

3. For purposes of this section, "sidewalk" shall be defined as all pathways intended for pedestrian use, including that portion of an alley or driveway between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines.

D. Signage as provided in subsection A of this section shall not be required in the areas defined in subsection C of this section. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 98-121; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 10-64)

10.19.108: EQUIPMENT ON BICYCLES: 

A. Every bicycle in use on a street or highway between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the street or highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet (1,000') ahead, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles, which shall be visible for six hundred feet (600') to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. During insufficient lighting conditions stated above, every bicycle being used shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides for six hundred feet (600') when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle or, in lieu of the reflective material, with a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500'). A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.

B. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its rider to stop the bicycle within twenty five feet (25') from a speed of ten (10) miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

C. Every bicycle operated upon the streets or highways of the City shall comply with the provisions of article 4 of title 42, Colorado Revised Statutes, as it relates to the operation of bicycles1. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.109: CLINGING TO VEHICLES: 

No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the bicycle or the rider to any vehicle upon any street or roadway. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.110: BICYCLES EXCLUDED: 

Wherever official signs are erected giving notice that bicycles are excluded, as authorized in section 10.1.309 of this chapter, no bicycle rider shall violate any of the instructions. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.111: IMPOUNDING BICYCLES: 

Members of the Police Department are authorized to remove a bicycle from any street, alley, highway, sidewalk, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, path or other public place or way, to the bicycle pound or to any lot or place maintained by the City or the Department for the storage of impounded bicycles, or to any other place of safety under any of the circumstances below enumerated:

A. When the bicycle is not in safe mechanical condition.

B. When the bicycle is not equipped as required by section 10.19.108 of this article.

C. When the bicycle is operated by any person under the age of sixteen (16) years in violation of any ordinance of the City relating to traffic or in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

D. When any bicycle is seized, found or given to the Police Department as evidence of a crime, evidence in a traffic matter or lost or abandoned. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.19.112: RELEASE OF IMPOUNDED BICYCLES: 

A. No bicycle, removed or impounded because of an unsafe mechanical condition or because it is not equipped as required by section 10.19.108 of this article, shall be released until:

1. Then safe mechanical condition has been corrected or lacking equipment has been placed on the bicycle; or

2. The City's authorized agent has been satisfied that the bicycle will not be ridden, propelled or operated upon any street, alley, highway, sidewalk, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, path or other public place or way until such unsafe mechanical condition has been corrected or lacking equipment has been placed on the bicycle, and the bicycle shall be released to the owner or person entitled to possession when the same is in safe mechanical condition and when the lacking equipment has been placed on the bicycle.

B. Bicycles otherwise will be released and disposed of in accord with section 9.1.206 of this Code and treated as "property" as defined in section 9.1.201 of this Code. (Ord. 96-103; Ord. 01-42)

10.27.104: BICYCLES: 

It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle within any park on other than a paved or improved dirt vehicular road or path specifically designated for bicycle traffic. A bicyclist shall be permitted to walk a bicycle over any grassy area, wooded trail or on any other area reserved for pedestrian use. (Ord. 89-103; Ord. 01-42)

Sec. 54-564. Scope.

(a)The provisions of this article applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street, roadway, highway or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive operation and use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions contained herein.

(b)The provisions of this article applicable to an electrical assisted bicycle shall apply whenever an electrical assisted bicycle is operated upon any street, roadway or highway, subject to those exceptions stated herein.

(Code 1950, § 522.1-3; Ord. No. 685-09, § 7, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-565. Application of traffic laws.

Every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subjected to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the traffic rules and regulations of this city applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to special regulations and except as to the provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature can have no application.

(Code 1950, § 522.11; Ord. No. 685-09, § 8, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-566. Application to other human-powered devices.

The provisions of this article shall apply to other human-powered devices as well as bicycles.

Sec. 54-567. Obedience to traffic-control devices.

(a)Any person operating a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, shall obey the instructions of official traffic-control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

(b)Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, it shall be unlawful for any person operating a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle to disobey the direction of any such sign, except where such person dismounts from the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle to make any such turn, in which event, such person shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.

(Code 1950, § 522.12; Ord. No. 685-09, § 9, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-568. Riding on permanent seat.

It shall be unlawful for any person propelling or riding upon a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle to ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.

(Code 1950, § 522.13-1; Ord. No. 685-09, § 10, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-569. Carrying persons.

No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one (1) time than the number for which it is designed and a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle must be equipped with permanent seat, hand holds and foot rests.

(Code 1950, § 522.13-2; Ord. No. 685-09, § 11, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-570. Carrying articles.

It shall be unlawful for any person operating a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle to carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one (1) hand upon the handlebars.

(Code 1950, § 522.17; Ord. No. 685-09, § 12, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-571. Right-of-way.

A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be considered a vehicle under all portions of this Code which govern right-of-way.

(Code 1950, § 501.1-16; Ord. No. 685-09, § 13, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-572. Riding on roadways.

(a)Every person operating a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.

(b)Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding bicycles two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

(c)Persons riding electrical assisted bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast.

(d)This section shall not apply to a uniformed city, state, or federal employee riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle while engaged in the discharge of his or her duties or to a police officer riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle that is a marked or unmarked official police bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, while engaged in the discharge of his or her official duties.

(e)An electrical assisted bicycle shall not be operated on a limited-access highway.

(Code 1950, § 522.14; Ord. No. 464-02, § 1, 6-17-02; Ord. No. 685-09, § 14, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-573. Speed.

(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a roadway or bicycle path at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing or in excess of the posted speed limit.

(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a sidewalk, which is not part of a designated bicycle route, at a speed in excess of six (6) miles per hour.

(c)This section shall not apply to a uniformed city, state, or federal employee riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle while engaged in the discharge of his or her duties or to a police officer riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle that is a marked or unmarked official police bicycle, while engaged in the discharge of his or her official duties.

(Code 1950, § 522.15; Ord. No. 685-09, § 15, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-574. Emerging from alley or driveway.

The operator of a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway.

(Code 1950, § 522.16; Ord. No. 685-09, § 16, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-575. Parking.

(a)A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked upon a roadway at any angle to the curb or edge of the roadway at any location where parking is allowed.

(b)A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the roadway abreast of another such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle near the side of the roadway or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

(c)A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may park on a sidewalk in a rack to support such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle or against a building or at the curb, in such a manner as to not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

(Code 1950, § 522.18; Ord. No. 685-09, § 17, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-576. Riding on sidewalks.

Sec. 54-576. - Riding on sidewalks.

(a) Riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles upon or along sidewalks, whether on public property or private property opened for use by the general public, shall be unlawful except:

(1)When the operator or rider thereof is a uniformed city employee or uniformed state employee or uniformed federal employee, which are working as part of their official duties and are riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle or a police officer riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle that is a marked or unmarked official police bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle or while engaged in the discharge of his or her official duties; or

(2)When the operator or rider of a bicycle thereof is engaged in the delivery of newspapers;

(3) Where the sidewalk is part of a designated bicycle route; or

(4) When the operator or rider thereof is preparing to dismount and park the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle at a location on the block on which the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is being operated, or the operator has just mounted and has not yet crossed a street or alley.

(b) Bicyclists shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on the sidewalk.

(c) Riding electrical assisted bicycles upon or along sidewalks shall be unlawful, except as provided for in this section above.

(Code 1950, §§ 522.19-1, 522.19-2, 852.5; Ord. No. 464-02, § 1, 6-17-02; Ord. No. 685-09, § 18, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-577. Prohibited on roadways where posted.

The city traffic engineer is authorized to erect signs on any roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycle thereon by any person, and when such signs are in place, no person shall disobey the same, except a uniformed city or state or federal employee riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, while engaged in the discharge of his or her duties, or a police officer riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle that is a marked or unmarked official police bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle, while engaged in his or her official duties.

(Code 1950, § 522.19-3; Ord. No. 464-02, § 1, 6-17-02; Ord. No. 685-09, § 19, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-578. Lamps and reflectors.

(a)Every bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, when in use at night time, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front.

(b)Every bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, when in use at night time, shall be equipped with a red reflector of a type approved by the department, which shall be visible for six (6) hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.

(c)Every bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, when in use at night time, shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and reflectibility to be visible from both sides for six (6) hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams or 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.

(d)A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required in this section.

(Code 1950, § 522.20; Ord. No. 685-09, § 20, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-579. Loud sirens, whistles, etc., prohibited.

No bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle shall be equipped with, nor shall any person install upon or use upon any bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle a siren, whistle, or other device which emits a loud or raucous noise, except a police officer engaged in the discharge of his or her official duties and the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is a marked or unmarked official police bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle.

(Code 1950, § 507.5-2; Ord. No. 464-02, § 1, 6-17-02; Ord. No. 685-09, § 21, 11-23-09)

Cross reference— Noise control generally, Ch. 36.

Sec. 54-580. Impoundment.

(a)Members of the police department are hereby authorized to remove a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle from any street, alley, highway, sidewalk, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, path or other public place or way, to the bicycle pound or to any lot or place maintained by the city or the department for the storage of impounded bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles, or to any other place of safety under any of the circumstances hereinafter enumerated.

(1)When such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is not in safe mechanical condition;

(2)When such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is not equipped as required by section 54-578

(3)When such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is operated by any person under the age of sixteen (16) years in violation of any ordinance of the city relating to traffic or in violation of any of the provisions of this article.

(b)No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle removed or impounded because not in safe mechanical condition or because not equipped as required by section 54-578 shall be released until such unsafe mechanical condition has been corrected or such lacking equipment has been placed on such bicycle or the manager of safety has been satisfied that such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle will not be ridden, propelled or operated upon any street, alley, highway, sidewalk, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, path or other public place or way until such unsafe mechanical condition has been corrected or such lacking equipment has been placed on such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, and such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be released to the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof when the same is in safe mechanical condition and when such lacking equipment has been placed thereon or when the manager of safety has been so satisfied.

(c)No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle removed or impounded because operated by any person under the age of sixteen (16) years in alleged violation of any ordinance of the city relating to traffic or in alleged violation of any of the provisions of this article shall be released until the manager of safety shall have had a reasonable period of time in which to investigate or cause to be investigated the facts relative to such alleged violation; if at the conclusion of such investigation the manager finds such alleged violation to have occurred, the manager may order such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle to be retained or further impounded for such further period not exceeding thirty (30) days as in the manager's discretion shall seem proper, and at the expiration of such period or upon the conclusion of such investigation if the manager shall determine that such alleged violation did not occur, such bicycle shall be released to the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof.

(d)Whenever a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is removed from any public place or way or impounded as authorized by this article and the identity of the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof is known, such owner or person shall be given notice in writing of the fact of such removal or impounding, the reasons therefor, and the place to which the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle has been removed or in which it is impounded.

(e)Whenever a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall have been impounded for a period of two (2) months and no claim of ownership or the right to the possession thereof shall have been made and established to the satisfaction of the manager of safety, the manager shall consider such bicycles or electrical assisted bicycle as abandoned and the property of the city, to be disposed of as such, after the first advertising in one or more official publications of the city a notice stating that all bicycles impounded and unclaimed for a period of two (2) months will be considered as abandoned and become city property if not properly claimed within ten (10) days of the date of publication of the notice.

(f)The manager of safety shall be, and is hereby empowered and authorized to adopt rules and regulations governing the procedure to be followed in the removal and impounding of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycle pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(Code 1950, §§ 522.21, 522.23; Ord. No. 279-03, § 10, 4-21-03; Ord. No. 685-09, § 22, 11-23-09)

Sec. 54-581. Responsibilities of parents and guardians.

It shall be unlawful for the parent of any child or the guardian of any ward to authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this article.

(Code 1950, § 522.1-2)

Sec. 54-582. Responsibilities of dealers.

Every person engaged in the business of buying or selling new or secondhand bicycles shall make a report to the police department of every bicycle purchased or sold by such dealer, giving the name and address of the person from whom purchased, or to whom sold, a description of such bicycle by name or make, and the frame number thereof.

(Code 1950, § 522.10; Ord. No. 685-09, § 24, 11-23-09)

Editor's note—

Section 23 of Ord. No. 685-09, adopted Nov. 23, 2009, deleted § 54-582, responsibilities of rental agencies, which derived from § 522.9 of the 1950 Code. Section 24 of said ordinance renumbered § 54-583 as § 54-582

Secs. 54-583—54-599. Reserved.

Bicycle Defined:

5) Bicycle. A vehicle propelled by human power applied to pedals upon which a person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels or two (2) parallel wheels and one (1) forward wheel, all of which are more than fourteen (14) inches in diameter.

1412. Operation of bicycles, electrical assisted bicycles and other human-powered vehicles. 

(1) Every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon a roadway where bicycle and electrical assisted bicycle travel is permitted shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties and penalties applicable to the driver of a vehicle as set forth in this Traffic Code, except those provi-sions of this Traffic Code that, by their very nature, can have no application. Said riders shall also comply with special rules set forth in this Section and in Section 220(1)(b) and (1)(c) and Section 221 and, when using streets and highways within the City, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles and electrical assisted bicycles as provided in Section 42-4-111, C.R.S. Whenever the word vehicle is used in any of the driving rules set forth in this Traffic Code that are applicable to bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle riders, such term shall includebicycles and electrical assisted bicycles.

(a) These regulations not in conflict with the Rules and Regulations promulgated by Colorado State University pursuant to Sections 23-5-106 and 107, C.R.S. shall apply on the campus of the University.

(b) The parent of any child or guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any child or ward to violate any provision of this Section.

(2) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.

(3) No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one (1) time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

(4) No person riding upon any bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any motor vehicle upon a roadway.

(5)       (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride in the right-hand lane, subject to the following conditions:

(I) If the right-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the right as is reasonably prudent to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicle unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.

(II) A bicyclist may use a lane other than the right-hand lane when:

(A) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private roadway or driveway;

(B) overtaking a slower vehicle; or

(C) taking reasonably necessary precautions to avoid hazards or road conditions.

(III) Upon approaching an intersection where right turns are permitted and there is a dedicated right-turn lane, a bicyclist may ride on the left-hand portion of the dedicated right-turn lane even if the bicyclist does not intend to turn right.

(b) A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:

(I) ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or narrow lanes; or

(II) ride without a reasonable safety margin on the right-hand side of the roadway.

(c) A person operating a bicycle upon a one-way roadway with two (2) or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as is reasonably prudent, subject to the following conditions:

(I) If the left-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride as far to the left as is reasonably prudent to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.

(II) A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:

(A) ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or narrow lanes; or

(B) ride without a reasonable safety margin on the left-hand side of the roadway.

(6)       (a) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadway set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

(b) Persons riding bicycles two (2) abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

(7) A person operating a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall keep at least one (1) hand on the handlebars at all times.

(8)       (a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in Sections 901(1), 903 and 1007 or may make a left turn in the manner prescribed in Paragraph (b) of this Subsection (8).

(b) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall approach the turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist shall stop, as much as practicable, out of the way of traffic. After stopping, the bicyclist shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway that the bicyclist had been using. After yielding and complying with any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Subsec-tion (8), the City Traffic Engineer may cause official traffic control devices to be placed on roadways and thereby require and direct that a specific course be traveled and operators of bicycles or electrical assistedbicycles shall obey the directions of every such device.

(9)       (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection (9), every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall signal his or her intention to turn or stop in accordance with the provisions of Section 903; except that a person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may signal a right turn with the right arm extended horizontally.

(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle before turning and shall be given while the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle.

(10)     (a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding abicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.

(b) A person shall not ride a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding a bicycleor electrical assisted bicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or ordinance.

(c) A person riding or walking a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including but not limited to the rights and duties granted and required by Section 802.

(d) Low-power scooters are restricted at all times from riding upon and along a sidewalk, or across a highway or street upon or along a cross-walk, except when the low-power scooter operator has dismounted the low-power scooter and is walking the low-power scooter under human power.

(e) Motorized bicycles are restricted at all times from riding upon and along a sidewalk, or across a highway or street upon or along a crosswalk, except when the motorized bicycle operator has dismounted the motorized bicycle and is walking the motorized bicycle under human power.

(11)     (a) A person may park a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or local ordinance.

(b) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

(c) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.

(d) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another such bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

(e) In all other respects, bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform to the provisions of Part 11 of this Traffic Code regulating the parking of vehicles.

(12) Where suitable bike paths, horseback trails or other trails have been established on the right-of-way or parallel to and within one-fourth (¼) mile of the right-of-way of heavily traveled streets and highways, the Colorado Department of Transportation may, subject to the provisions of Section 43-2-135, C.R.S., by resolution or order, and the City Traffic Engineer may, where suitable bike paths, horseback trails or other trails have been established on the right-of-way or parallel to it within four hundred fifty (450) feet of the right-of-way of heavily traveled streets, by ordinance, determine and designate, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, those heavily traveled streets and highways upon which shall be prohibited any bicycle, animal rider, animal-drawn conveyance or other class or kind of nonmotorized traffic which is found to be incompatible with the normal and safe movement of traffic, and, upon such a determination, the Colorado Department of Transportation or the City shall erect appropriate official signs giving notice thereof; except that with respect to controlled access highways, the provisions of Section 42-4-1010(3), C.R.S., shall apply. When such official signs are so erected, no person shall violate any of the instructions contained thereon.

(13) For the sake of uniformity of bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle safety rules throughout the State, the Colorado Department of Revenue, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation, shall prepare and make available to all local jurisdictions for distribution to bicycle and electrical assisted bicycle riders therein a digest of state regulations explaining and illustrating the rules of the road, equipment requirements and traffic control devices that are applicable to such riders and their bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles. The City Traffic Engineer may supplement this digest with a leaflet describing any additional regulations of a local nature that apply within their respective jurisdictions.

(14) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a recreational trail shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian using the recreational trail and shall give an audible signal or verbal warning before overtaking and passing any such pedestrian.

1013. Driving on roadways with designated bicycle lanes.  

Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a motor vehicle on such roadway shall not drive in the bicycle lane except to park where parking is permitted, to enter or leave the highway or to prepare for a turn. Any person operating a motor vehicle shall not enter a bicycle lane as provided by this Section until yielding the right-of-way to all bicycles lawfully within the bicycle lane. (Ord. 016, 2003 §1; Ord. 119, 2011, §8)

221. Bicycle and personal mobility device equipment.  

(1) No other provision of this Part 2 and no provision of Part 3 of this Traffic Code 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 Traffic Code made specifically applicable to such a vehicle.

(2) Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle or EPAMD in use at the times described in Section 204 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) 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 State Department of Revenue, which shall be visible for six hundred (600) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

(4) Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle or EPAMD when in use at the times described in Section 204 shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides for six hundred (600) 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 (500) 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.

(6) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, any siren or whistle.

(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 (25) feet from a speed of ten (10) 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. (Ord. 016, 2003 §1; Ord. 097, 2009 §9)

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10.85.010 Operation of bicycles Every person riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this title, except as to special regulations in this title and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 1067, 1989.)

10.85.020 General rules of operation

The following general rules of operation of bicycles shall be required.

a) No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.

b) No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself to any motor vehicle upon a roadway.

c) Any person riding a bicycle shall ride in the right hand lane. When being overtaken by another vehicle, such person shall ride as close to the right hand side of the roadway as practicable. Where a paved shoulder suitable for bicycle riding is present, persons operating bicycles shall ride on the paved shoulder. These provisions shall apply, except under any of the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction,

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway,

(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or surface hazards.

d) Persons operating bicycles on roadways shall ride single file, except that riding no more than two abreast is permitted in the following circumstances:

(1) When there is no motor vehicle traffic approaching from the rear within a distance of three hundred feet and the sight distance on the roadway at the time and place and under the conditions then existing is a minimum of three hundred feet to the front and to the rear of the bicyclist,

(2) When riding on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles,

(3) Persons riding two abreast shall ride within a single lane.

e) A person operating a bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

f) A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall follow either of the following courses:

(1) The rider shall approach the turn in the extreme left hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle. Whenever practicable, the left turn shall be made to the left of the center of the intersection so as to leave the intersection or other location in the extreme left hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as such vehicle on the roadway being entered.

(2) The rider shall approach the turn as closely as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway. After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges the bicyclist shall stop, as much as practicable, out of the way of traffic. After stopping the bicyclist shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway that the bicyclist had been using. After yielding and complying with any official traffic device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which he intends to proceed, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (g) every person riding a bicycle shall signal his intention to turn or stop in accordance with the provisions of state statutes.

g) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle before turning and shall be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

h) A person riding a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.

i) A person shall not ride a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices.

j) A person riding or walking a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

k) A person riding a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk shall dismount before entering any roadway and, when crossing any such roadway, shall observe all the rules and regulations applicable to pedestrians.

l) A person may park a bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device.

m) A bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

n) A bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.

o) A bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another bicycle or bicycles near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

p) In all other respects bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform to the laws regulating the parking of vehicles. (Ord. 1067, 1989.)

10.85.030 Bicycle equipment

a) Every bicycle in use at the times when lamps are required for other vehicles by state statutes 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.

b) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a red reflector of a type 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.

c) Every bicycle when in use at the times when lamps are required for other vehicles by state statutes 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.

d) A bicycle or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section.

e) A bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a bicycle, any siren or whistle.

f) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its rider to stop the bicycle within twenty-five feet from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

g) A person engaged in the business of selling bicycles at retail shall not sell any bicycle unless the bicycle has an identifying number permanently stamped or cast on its frame. (Ord. 1067, 1989).

10.85.040 Penalties Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof punished in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.04.040 of this code. (Ord. 1067, 1989).

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