CDOT Encourages Bicyclists to be Safe in Work Zones

SW and S-CENTRAL COLORADO – With bicycle tours and race events slated for many communities across the region, cyclists have taken to area roads for training. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reminds bicyclists that they must follow the same traffic laws that motorized vehicles are required to obey. Recent incidents, observed by traffic control personnel within several construction projects, has prompted CDOT to issue the warning.

Bicyclists have been reported riding through work zones when traffic was stopped, in order to avoid the short traffic delays required from time to time in the course of construction activity.

“This endangers both the bicyclists and the construction workers,” said Jo Heinlein, CDOT Traffic and Safety Program Manager, “When traffic stops are enforced, that means workers and equipment need space and time to carry out the activity of the construction site. These stops are typically short in duration.”

When traffic is stopped by a flagger in either direction, the bicyclists must also stop. When traffic is released, the motorized vehicles will be released first, and any bicyclists in the queue will follow at the very rear of the queue. This is the fastest, safest, and most efficient way to get both cars and bicycles through the work zone.

STATE LAW ― Bicyclists are reminded that it is written in Colorado State Law (42-4-1412) that “Every person riding a bicycle … shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle…riders shall comply with the rules set forth… when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns…” For more information about Colorado’s bicycling laws, visit www.ColoBikeLaw.com.  

CDOT RESOURCES ― For a range of information and resources for bicyclists, visit www.codot.gov. Click on: Programs > Bicycle and Pedestrian > Information for Bicyclists > Safety Information & Resources for Bicyclists.