The following text comes from Bicycle Colorado's web page "rules-of-the-road". In general, it is taken from Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-4-221 ("Bicycle, electric scooter, and personal mobility device equipment.") and 42-4-111 ("Powers of local authorities").

Colorado Revised Statutes ->

Title 42. Vehicles and Traffic (§§ 42-1-101 — 42-21-106) ->

Regulation of Vehicles and Traffic (Art. 4) ->

Part 2. Equipment (§§ 42-4-201 — 42-4-242) ->

Bicycle, electric scooter, and personal mobility device equipment (§§ 42-4-221)


The official online statues can be read HERE.

Most motorists accept that bicycles are allowed on the road, but many believe they have to be as far to the right as possible, period. But that's at best a simplicifation. For that particular part of the low, here is the official text:

    (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.

    Here's the pertanant part:

    (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.



Here is a more complete rundown of Colorado's bicycle rules of the road. The text is re-written to make sense to us "normal" people (i.e. non-lawyers). The bold (most of the first section) is the real legal part. The non-bold section following that is "additional safety practices to keep in mind as a more vulnerable road user"



  • Bicycles are vehicles and bicyclists have the right to ride on the road.
  • Obey all traffic signs, signals, and right of way rules. In 2022, the Colorado Safety Stop Law was passed that allows people, 15 years and older, on bikes to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs.
  • Ride with the flow of traffic, unless you are in a designated contraflow bike lane.
  • Yield to pedestrians.
  • Use hand signals 100 ft. before turning, merging or stopping if you can do so while safely operating your bike.
  • Beginning at dusk or when visibility is poor, use at minimum a white front light, red rear reflector and side reflectors.
  • Bicyclists may ride side-by-side when not impeding the normal flow of traffic. (In some situations, riding two abreast can be helpful to increase your visibility and reduce passing time for drivers).
  • Ride in the right third of the lane serving your direction of travel when it feels safe. Use the full lane at any time to avoid obstacles, to be more visible, to prepare for a left turn or to discourage drivers from passing when it is not safe. You may also leave the right side of the lane if you are overtaking a slower-moving vehicle or riding on a one-way road.
  • Check your local ordinances for whether it is legal to ride on sidewalks in your community. Where sidewalk-riding is legal, bicyclists on sidewalks have the same rights and responsibilities as pedestrians and must ride with caution for the safety of pedestrians and to stay alert for drivers when crossing driveways, alleys and crosswalks. Bicyclists riding on the sidewalk where it is legal must yield to pedestrians.
  • People on bikes have the right of way in a bike lane, and bike lanes extend through intersections, regardless of whether or not they are painted through the intersection.

  • Ride defensively, stay visible and be prepared to react. It’s important never to assume that a driver sees you.
  • Scan regularly while riding, particularly before turning, changing lanes and navigating intersections.
  • {margin: 10px 0;}Ride in the street where you are most visible and use caution on sidewalks and crosswalks where legal.
  • Ride in the center of the lane when there are obstacles to the right, to discourage passing in narrow lanes or to increase visibility through intersections.
  • Ride outside of a bike lane if your safety is compromised by its condition or orientation.
  • Give yourself space to be seen between and next to cars.
  • Leave room alongside parked cars and when passing driveways to avoid opening doors or drivers pulling out.
  • Maintain a straight line as you ride and avoid weaving.
  • Avoid lane-splitting.
  • Attempt to make eye contact if conditions allow.
  • When you feel uncomfortable riding, dismount and walk your bike.
  • You may choose to go above and beyond to help drivers see you with additional lights, bright colors, reflective gear, mirrors or front/rear cameras.