Q: With summer here, there are many more bicyclists on the streets. I had always understood that bicyclists should follow the same traffic laws as cars. However, I often see bicyclists riding against traffic, not stopping at lights, or on the sidewalk. On the flip side, I see rude drivers who don’t seem to want to share the road with bicyclists. Please shed some light on bicycling laws.
A: The Colorado State Patrol has these tips for sharing the road:
Bicyclists
Ride with the flow of traffic, in the right lane or on a paved shoulder.
Never ride against traffic. Riding on the left against traffic is illegal and dangerous.
Obey traffic signs and signals.
Use hand signals to indicate your intention to turn, slow down or stop.
Motor-vehicle drivers
When passing a bicyclist, always allow at least 3 feet between your vehicle and the bicycle.
Be patient and wait until it is safe to pass, as you would any other slow-moving vehicle.
Use caution at intersections when making a right turn with a bicyclist proceeding straight through. Do not speed ahead of the bicyclist and cut him or her off as you are turning, because the bicyclist may not be able to avoid crashing into the passenger side of your vehicle.
Source: Colorado State Patrol (www.csp.state.co.us/safetyinfo.cfm); Colorado Department of Transportation (www.dot.state.co.us/BikePed/)
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