Cyclists have the right to use public roads and must follow all the rules and signs as if they were motor vehicles. Colorado law, C.R.S. 42-4-1412(1) defines a bicyclists’ responsibilities.

Some key laws you need to know in Colorado regarding bicycles include:

• Three-Foot Passing Law: Drivers must give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing. Many accidents occur because motorists fail to provide this critical buffer.
• Right to the Road: Cyclists are allowed to ride in traffic lanes, and in certain situations, they can even take the full lane for safety.
• Helmet Recommendations: Although Colorado does not require helmets for adult cyclists, wearing one can significantly reduce the severity of injuries during a crash. It can also lower your responsibility for any head injuries you may sustain in an accident.
•  Cyclists must ride reasonably close to the right curb: A cyclist is required to ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the road. They can also ride on the paved right shoulder when it is available. But there are five (5) exceptions where a cyclist need not ride as close to the right-hand curb or edge of the road as practicable:
• When passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction
• When preparing to turn left
• When conditions make the right-hand edge of the roadway unsafe or unreasonably unsafe for bicycle users, including, but not limited to:
• Surface hazards (i.e., ruts in the pavement or potholes);
• An uneven roadway surface
• Drain openings
• Debris
• Parked or moving vehicles or bicycles
• Pedestrians
• Other obstacles; or
• The lane is too narrow to permit a vehicle to safely overtake and pass a bicycle.
• When operating a bicycle in a lane in which traffic is turning right, but the cyclist intends to proceed straight through the intersection; and
• When riding on a one-way highway or street that has two (2) or more lanes. In this situation, the cyclist may also ride as close to the left curb or edge of the roadway as practicable.
• Restrictions on Riding 2 cyclists:  Cyclists can ride two (2) bicycles abreast, so long as they do not impede or disrupt the normal flow of traffic.
• Lights: If riding between sunset and sunrise, a cyclist must use lights. The light MUST include a white light that is visible from five hundred (500) feet to the front and a red reflector on the rear that is visible from all distances from one hundred (100) feet to six hundred (600) feet when directly in front of lawful low beam headlights.
• Use of Hand Signals:  A cyclist is required to signal to turn or stop for 100 feet. The hand signals are as follows: a left turn by extending his/her left hand and arm horizontally; a right turn by extending his/her left hand and arm upward, or by extending his/her right hand and arm horizontally; a stop or decrease in speed by extending his/her hand and arm downward.

These laws, alongside local ordinances, play a crucial role in determining liability in bicycle accident cases.

At Beck Law, we aggressively represent our clients and take action.  These steps may include:

• Investigation: We investigate the facts of your accident, gathering evidence, obtaining police reports, and identifying witnesses.
• Insurance Companies: You never have to speak to insurance adjusters. We are experienced in their policies to lowball your claims.
• Litigation: If a fair and just offer is not given, we take the case to trial to fight for you.
• Medical Treatment: We make sure you get the medical treatment you need whether you have health insurance or not.

Most Common Reasons for Bicycle Accidents

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating, talking to people in your vehicle, or adjusting entertainment or navigation systems. People do not always pay attention to what is in front of them.

Right Crossing

A right crossing accident can occur due to any of the following scenarios:

• When a vehicle moves out of an alleyway, driveway, or parking lot and exits to the cyclist’s right. The driver collides with the cyclist when the latter passes the car’s front side
• When a vehicle pulls out far enough at the last second to block the cyclist’s right of way. This makes it impossible for the cyclist to avoid a collision with the right side of the vehicle.

Right Hooking

These are the most common causes of right-hooking accidents:

• When a car hits a cyclist when the latter is in front of a cross street. The collision was the result of the driver failing to see the cyclist when making a right turn.
• When a motor vehicle driver goes past a cyclist and blocks the latter’s way while making a right turn. The cyclist collides with the side of the vehicle.

Rear-end Collisions

Rear-end collisions occur when a motor vehicle collides with another vehicle in front of it. These types of crashes usually happen due to distracted driving and tailgating. Moreover, rear-end collisions are the most common way for drunk drivers to potentially injure or kill cyclists.

Other Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Aside from the above-mentioned causes, bike-related accidents can also occur due to the following factors:

• Dooring accidents or “door prize” collisions
• Junction or lane merging
• Unfavorable weather conditions
• Left cross accidents
• DUI
• Failure to Yield Right of Way
• Speeding