Cycling Time in Colorado
DENVER – June is Bike Month in Colorado and the highlight comes this week with Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, June 22, when Coloradans are encouraged to leave their motor vehicle at home and instead, put their feet to the pedals.
“While there’s plenty of cycling events taking place around the state this month, Bike to Work Day is our way of educating the public about the benefits of commuting by bike,” said Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Bicycling and Pedestrian Coordinator Betsy Jacobsen. “We’ve been promoting it for 25 years and it’s still going strong.”
In addition to CDOT, BTWD also is promoted by cities, counties and other public and private entities.
As one of the top Bicycling Friendly States* in the U.S., CDOT continues to do its part to support cycling for residents and tourists alike. Its Share the Roadcampaign is aimed at increasing awareness among motorists that bicycles have an equal right to use the state’s highways while educating bicyclists they also are required to ride responsibly. CDOT also administers the Safe Routes to School program.
Over the past 25 years, CDOT has continued to maintain and add to the amenities that enhance safety and improve the cycling experience, including:
Denver/Boulder Area (CDOT Regions One/Four)
- U.S. 36 Bikeway between Westminster and Boulder
- C-470 Trail between Interstate 25 and Interstate 70
- State Highway 93 – Widened shoulders, south of Boulder
- I-70 Trail between Genesee and Evergreen Parkway (Opening this summer, this “final link” will allow cyclist to ride from Denver to west of Glenwood Springs without ever using I-70)
Southeast Colorado (Region Two)
- State Highway 96 - Widened shoulders on the route also known as the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail
- New paths constructed as part of the new Fillmore Interchange Project to help facilitate bike and pedestrian travel across I-25 in Colorado Springs
Western Colorado (Region Three)
- Vail Pass Trail between Copper Mountain and Vail
- Glenwood Canyon Trail between Dotsero and Glenwood Springs
Southwestern Colorado (Region Five)
- U.S. 50 Bike Lanes in Salida
- U.S. 160/U.S. 550 Continuous Flow Intersection in Durango, including bike lanes, bike boxes (designated area at the head of a traffic lane at a signalized intersection that provides bicyclists with a safe and visible way to get ahead of queuing traffic during the red signal phase), bike signal phases and detections
Share the Road Tips
For Drivers
- Give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing: Even if it requires crossing the center line, if it is safe – or risk a ticket.
- Wait a few seconds: If you don’t have three feet to pass then wait until there is enough room to pass safely.
- Take a brake: Reduce speed when encountering bicyclists.
- Scan, then turn: Look for bicyclists before making turns and make sure the road is clear before proceeding.
For Riders
- Cyclists must ride as far right as possible: And not impede traffic when passing other riders or riding two abreast.
- Side-by-Side Rule: Ride no more than two abreast; move to single-file if riding two abreast impedes the flow of motorized traffic.
- Ride Predictably: Scan the road, anticipate hazards, and communicate your moves to others.
- Signal First: Use hand signals to alert nearby vehicles to turns or lane changes.
For more information on bicycling in Colorado, including on-line maps, please visit: https://www.codot.gov/
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*According to The League of American Bicyclists
