Most casual cyclists aren’t intimately familiar with the rules of the road. There are some things you may not think twice about, such as letting a friend ride on your handlebars or silently pedaling past a pedestrian, that are actually against Colorado law.
We’re here to help bring you up to speed. If you ever find yourself in need of a bicycle accident attorney who knows how local and state regulations apply to your claim, contact Jeffress Law, PC.
Things You Can Do While Cycling
Let’s begin on a positive note. We’re going to start with a few things that you can legally do while riding your bicycle:
- Ride two abreast (under specific circumstances).
- Ride in the street with the flow of traffic.
- Use the left lane (under specific circumstances).
It may surprise you to learn that you can also ride your bike without a helmet. Helmet use is a matter of personal choice in Colorado.
Of course, a helmet is an invaluable piece of safety equipment that can save your life in an accident. You can’t go wrong wearing one. Keep in mind that helmets are required for minors riding e-bikes.
Things You Can’t Do While Cycling
No one likes being told what to do. However, laws are in place to keep everyone safe, strange as some of them may seem. Here are a few things that aren’t allowed when cycling:
- Carrying more passengers than your bicycle is designed to carry.
- Getting a tow from a car or otherwise attaching yourself to a motor vehicle.
- Passing a pedestrian without giving an audible warning.
- Failing to signal at least 100 feet in advance of a turn.
- Riding at night without a light.
- Putting a whistle or siren on your bike.
- Wearing headphones.
- Treating red lights and stop signs as yields.
Get Help From a Boulder Bicycle Attorney
Local ordinances can sometimes trump these rules. They can vary from one city to the next without the average cyclist realizing it.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident and need help navigating the relevant laws, call 303-993-8685 for a free case evaluation. Attorney Christopher Jeffress serves clients from Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield, and nearby areas of Colorado.
