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Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyers
We represent injured cyclists and their families across every Colorado county. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
No fee unless we winColorado's roads and trails carry some of the best cycling in the country, from the bike lanes of Denver to the alpine climbs of Lookout Mountain. They also carry risk, and insurers move fast to blame the rider.
- Under Colorado's Safety Stop law (C.R.S. 42-4-1412.5), cyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs and proceed through a red light after stopping when it is safe. Doing so is following the law, not breaking it.
- Drivers must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing (C.R.S. 42-4-1003). A violation is direct evidence of negligence in a crash case.
- Colorado uses modified comparative fault. You can recover damages as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault (C.R.S. 13-21-111), and your own UM/UIM auto coverage may apply even though you were on a bike.
CGH Injury Lawyers represents injured cyclists across every county in Colorado. Our attorneys serve on the CDOT Vulnerable Road User Safety Task Force, and we use the Safety Stop law, the 3-foot rule, and e-bike statutes to shift fault back onto the driver where it belongs. Free first consultation, and no fee unless we win.
Colorado law
The Colorado Safety Stop law: what cyclists can and cannot do
Colorado's most misunderstood cycling law is the Safety Stop (C.R.S. 42-4-1412.5), sometimes called the Idaho Stop. It changes how bicycles interact with stop signs and red lights, and it is one of the strongest tools we have for defeating bad-faith fault claims.
At stop signs
- You may treat a stop sign as a yield sign.
- You must slow down and check for traffic.
- You must yield to vehicles and pedestrians with the right of way.
- You are not required to come to a full foot-down stop when the intersection is clear.
At red lights
- You must come to a complete stop.
- After stopping, yield to all cross-traffic and pedestrians.
- You may then proceed if it is safe to do so.
- This addresses stale red lights that do not detect bicycles.
Why this matters in a crash case
Insurance adjusters often claim a cyclist ran a stop sign or blew a red light to shift fault after a collision. The Safety Stop law is your shield. If you slowed, checked for traffic, and yielded at a stop sign, you were complying with Colorado law. Our attorneys reconstruct the scene, obtain witness statements, and prove you used the discretion the statute grants. That work is critical under Colorado's modified comparative negligence rule, where being found 50 percent or more at fault bars any recovery.
The Safety Stop is not a free pass. Entering an intersection without slowing or checking is still reckless, still illegal, and can be used against you in a liability claim.
Rights and duties
Rules of the road: cyclist rights and driver duties in Colorado
Colorado law gives cyclists the same rights as motor vehicles under Title 42, and it places specific duties on drivers to protect vulnerable road users.
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The 3-foot passing rule (C.R.S. 42-4-1003)
Drivers must leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. If the lane is too narrow to do that while staying in the lane, the driver must change lanes or wait. A violation is direct evidence of negligence, and we use dashcam footage, witnesses, and accident reconstruction to prove it.
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Taking the lane
Cyclists may occupy the center of a traffic lane when conditions make it the safe choice. Drivers who honk, tailgate, or try to squeeze past a cyclist who is legally in the lane may be liable for harassment or endangerment.
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Riding two abreast
Colorado law permits cyclists to ride side by side unless it impedes the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. On wide roads and group rides, riding two abreast is legal and often safer, because it shortens the distance a driver must cover to pass.
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Required equipment
Bicycles ridden between sunset and sunrise must have a front light and a rear reflector. Failure to use lights can reduce your recovery in a nighttime crash, though it rarely eliminates liability on its own.
E-bikes
E-bike laws in Colorado: Class 1, 2, and 3 explained
Electric bicycles are regulated separately from traditional bikes in Colorado. The state recognizes three classes based on motor assistance and top assisted speed.
Class 1
Pedal-assist only. The motor helps while you pedal and stops assisting at 20 mph. Class 1 e-bikes are the most widely permitted, including on many trails.
Class 2
Throttle-assisted. The motor can move the bike without pedaling and stops assisting at 20 mph. Many trails restrict Class 2 e-bikes.
Class 3
Pedal-assist up to a higher 28 mph top assisted speed. Class 3 e-bikes face the most trail restrictions and are usually limited to roads and bike lanes.
Many Colorado trails, including sections of the Cherry Creek Trail and the Boulder Creek Path, prohibit Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes. Riding a non-compliant e-bike on a restricted trail can bring fines and can complicate liability if you collide with a pedestrian or another cyclist.
If a car hits you while you ride an e-bike on a public road, your e-bike class generally does not affect your right to recover damages, as long as you were riding lawfully. If you were on a Class 3 e-bike on a trail that bans them, an insurer may argue you were trespassing or acting recklessly. We know how to answer that argument.
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Liability and compensation
Who pays after a bicycle crash, and what you can recover
When a driver hits a cyclist, the law lets the injured rider pursue the full cost of the harm. The question is how fault is divided and which insurance sources apply.
Comparative negligence in Colorado
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. 13-21-111). You can recover damages as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault. If you are found 30 percent at fault, for example for not signaling a turn, your recovery is reduced by 30 percent. This is why the Safety Stop law and the 3-foot rule matter so much. They let us push fault back onto the driver where it belongs.
Your own auto coverage may pay (UM/UIM)
Many cyclists do not know this: your own auto insurance policy may cover you while you ride your bike. If an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, your uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. That matters most in hit-and-run cases and when the at-fault driver carries minimal limits. We help clients identify every available source, including homeowner's and umbrella policies, to reach a full recovery.
The helmet defense myth
Can you still sue if you were not wearing a helmet? Yes. Colorado does not require adults to wear helmets while cycling, and not wearing one is not automatic negligence. Insurers will still argue that going without a helmet added to your injuries, especially in head-injury cases, a theory called failure to mitigate damages. It will not bar your claim, but it can reduce recovery under the comparative negligence rule. We work with medical experts to prove the extent of your injuries and to show that a helmet would not have prevented harm caused by the driver, such as spinal injuries, broken bones, or internal trauma.
Where crashes happen
Colorado's high-risk cycling zones
Handling bicycle crash cases across Colorado has shown us specific conflict zones where collisions happen often. If your crash was in one of these areas, we have detailed knowledge of sight lines, signal timing, and prior incident history that can strengthen your case.
Lookout Mountain, Golden
High-speed descents, narrow shoulders, and impatient drivers create dangerous passing situations. Right-hook collisions at the base are common.
Cherry Creek Trail crossings, Denver
At crossings of Speer Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard, drivers fail to yield to trail users and crashes follow.
Downtown Denver dooring zone
On 15th, 17th, and Larimer, parked-car occupants open doors into the bike lane without checking, a common cause of dooring injuries.
Boulder Creek Path
Generally safe, but road crossings near the CU Boulder campus produce crashes when drivers turn without checking for cyclists.
After the crash
What to do immediately after a bicycle accident in Colorado
The minutes and hours after a crash can make or break your case. These steps protect your health and preserve the evidence an insurer will later try to dispute.
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Call 911
Request both police and medical help. A Colorado Traffic Crash Report is critical evidence. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries.
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Do not negotiate or apologize
Do not discuss fault with the driver or their insurer. Statements like "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see you" can be used against you later.
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Preserve evidence
Photograph the scene, your bike, your injuries, and the vehicle. Collect witness names and contacts. Keep your damaged gear; do not repair or discard it.
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Seek medical attention
Delayed symptoms such as concussions, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue injuries are common. See a doctor within 24 to 48 hours even if you feel okay.
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Call CGH Injury Lawyers
Our attorneys review the police report, communicate with insurers, and protect your rights while you focus on recovery. No fee unless we win.
Your team
The team handling your case
CGH Injury Lawyers is a eight-attorney Colorado firm founded in 2016, formerly Cheney Galluzzi & Howard. Our attorneys serve on the CDOT Vulnerable Road User Safety Task Force, working with state legislators and transportation officials to improve cyclist protections. Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. Timothy G. Tarr has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2023. Every case is handled by a licensed Colorado attorney, not a paralegal.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about Colorado bicycle laws
Is it legal to ride on the sidewalk in Denver?
Generally no. Denver Municipal Code prohibits sidewalk cycling in the Central Business District and most commercial areas. Exceptions exist for children under 12 and when riding on the sidewalk is necessary for safety. Rules vary by city, so check the local ordinance where you ride.
Can you get a DUI while riding a bicycle in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado DUI laws apply to bicycles. You can be arrested and charged with DUI or DWAI if you ride while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Do cyclists have the right of way over pedestrians on mixed-use trails?
No. Pedestrians always have the right of way on shared trails. Cyclists must yield, slow down, and give an audible warning, such as "on your left," when passing.
What is the penalty for violating the 3-foot passing rule?
A violation is typically charged as a Class A traffic infraction, carrying a fine up to $100. More important for an injured cyclist, the violation establishes negligence in a civil injury case.
Do Class 2 e-bikes need to be registered with the DMV?
No. E-bikes do not require registration, license plates, or a driver's license in Colorado, regardless of class.
Can I still recover if I was not wearing a helmet?
Yes. Colorado does not require adults to wear helmets while cycling, and going without one is not automatic negligence. An insurer may argue that not wearing a helmet added to your injuries, which can reduce recovery under the comparative negligence rule, but it does not bar your claim. We use medical experts to show the driver's negligence caused the harm.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. 13-21-111). You can recover damages as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent, and your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Adjusters often inflate a cyclist's fault to cut payouts, and we use the Safety Stop law and the 3-foot rule to challenge that.
Can my own car insurance cover a bicycle crash?
Often, yes. If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it may pay your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, even though you were on a bike. This matters most in hit-and-run cases and when the at-fault driver has minimal limits.
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