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NOTE: This is the text of the bill as of January 2001. additions are in CAPITALS, deletions are struck through.
First Regular Session
Sixty-third General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
DRAFT
LLS NO. 01-0281.01 Kristen Forrestal SENATE BILL
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Chlouber
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
(None)
Senate Committees House Committees
A BILL FOR AN ACT CONCERNING TRAFFIC REGULATIONS RELATING TO BICYCLES.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted.)
Specifies that turning vehicles must yield the right-of-way to bicycles traveling lawfully within a bicycle lane, a shoulder, or the roadway. Requires drivers overtaking a bicycle traveling the same direction to have and maintain a safe clearance of at least 3 feet until safely past the overtaken bicycle. Permits bicyclists to ride two abreast when traffic is not impeded. Authorizes bicyclists to indicate a right turn by extending the right arm horizontally. Deletes the requirement that a bicyclist riding along a sidewalk dismount before crossing a roadway.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. 42-4-903 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
42-4-903. Turning movements and required signals. (1) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in section 42-4-901, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in sections 42-4-608 and 42-4-609. IN TURNING A VEHICLE AT AN INTERSECTION OR TO ENTER A PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY, A PERSON SHALL YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY TO BICYCLES TRAVELING LAWFULLY WITHIN A BICYCLE LANE, A SHOULDER, OR THE ROADWAY.
SECTION 2. 42-4-1003 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW PARAGRAPH to read:
42-4-1003. 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 42-4-1004 to 42-4-1008:
(a.5) THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE OVERTAKING A BICYCLE PROCEEDING IN THE SAME DIRECTION SHALL PASS TO THE LEFT THEREOF AT A SAFE DISTANCE, BUT NOT LESS THAN THREE FEET CLEARANCE, AND SHALL MAINTAIN CLEARANCE UNTIL SAFELY PAST THE OVERTAKEN BICYCLE. NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH (A.5) SHALL EXCUSE THE OPERATOR OF A BICYCLE FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO RIDE SINGLE FILE AS SET FORTH UNDER SECTION 42-4-1412.
SECTION 3. 42-4-1412 (6)(a), (9)(a) and (10), Colorado Revised Statutes, are amended to read:
42-4-1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles. (6) (a) 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 bicyclists. WHEN RIDING TWO ABREAST WILL NOT IMPEDE THE NORMAL AND REASONABLE MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC ;
(9)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (9), every person riding a bicycle shall signal the intention to turn or stop in accordance with the provisions of section 42-4-903; EXCEPT THAT A PERSON RIDING A BICYCLE MAY SIGNAL A RIGHT TURN WITH THE RIGHT HAND AND ARM EXTENDED HORIZONTALLY.
(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 CONSISTENT WITH THE SAFE USE OF THE CROSSWALK BY 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 A 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 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.
(d) 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.
SECTION 4. Effective date - applicability. This act shall take effect July 1, 2001, and act shall apply to infractions or offenses committed on or after said date.
SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
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