New signage designed to enhance bicyclist safety

News Release

November 4, 2021 - Central/Eastern Colorado - CDOT partnering with Bicycle Colorado to raise awareness

DENVER – Drivers soon will begin seeing new regulatory signs designed to enhance safety for bicyclists along the state highway system.

Colorado’s “Three-Foot” law requires motorists to give people biking at least three feet of space between the widest part of their vehicle and the widest part of the bicyclist. Drivers are allowed to cross a double yellow line to do so when it does not put oncoming traffic at risk.

“These new signs are designed to stress that there is a legal requirement for drivers to maintain a safe space when passing people biking on a shared roadway,” said Colorado Department of Transportation State Traffic Engineer San Lee. “Studies have shown that these signs are more effective at enhancing safety than the ‘Share the Road’ signs people are used to seeing. They also help make it clear that drivers bear the responsibility for safely passing a bicyclist.” 

CDOT will begin installing the new signs at various locations around the state in 2022, either as part of road construction or sign replacement projects.

“We’re very excited to see CDOT leading on bicyclist safety by making this change to clearer roadway messaging,” said Bicycle Colorado Director of Government Relations Piep van Heuven. “Words matter, and these new signs leave no doubt about what is expected of drivers when passing a bicyclist on the road—three feet of space, and no less. This change makes our roads safer for everyone.”

New signage designed to enhance bicyclist safety CDOT partnering with Bicycle Colorado to raise awareness DENVER – Drivers soon will begin seeing new regulatory signs designed to enhance safety for bicyclists along the state highway system. Colorado’s “Three-Foot” law requires motorists to give people biking at least three feet of space between the widest part of their vehicle and the widest part of the bicyclist. Drivers are allowed to cross a double yellow line to do so when it does not put oncoming traffic at risk. “These new signs are designed to stress that there is a legal requirement for drivers to maintain a safe space when passing people biking on a shared roadway,” said Colorado Department of Transportation State Traffic Engineer San Lee. “Studies have shown that these signs are more effective at enhancing safety than the ‘Share the Road’ signs people are used to seeing. They also help make it clear that drivers bear the responsibility for safely passing a bicyclist.” CDOT will begin installing the new signs at various locations around the state in 2022, either as part of road construction or sign replacement projects. “We’re very excited to see CDOT leading on bicyclist safety by making this change to clearer roadway messaging,” said Bicycle Colorado Director of Government Relations Piep van Heuven. “Words matter, and these new signs leave no doubt about what is expected of drivers when passing a bicyclist on the road—three feet of space, and no less. This change makes our roads safer for everyone.” image.png See the statute here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/2009a_sl_239.pdf Currently, 35 states have statues in place requiring at least three-foot clearance between drivers and bicyclists. REMINDERS FOR BICYCLISTS & MOTORISTS TO SAFELY INTERACT ON THE ROAD Bicyclists · Wear a helmet to protect your head and reduce injury severity · Follow the rules of the road. Ride in the right-hand lane and when wide enough, ride on the right to allow vehicles to safely pass, except when turning, passing, or avoiding obstacles. · Use hand signals 100 ft. before turning, merging or stopping if you can do so while safely operating your bike. · Use extra caution after dark. Use bike lights, reflectors, and wear reflective clothing · Avoid distractions. Riding and using a cell phone use can be dangerous. Turn down music and remove headphones. Ride defensively and be aware of your surroundings. · Eye contact and/or a quick nod is an easy way to confirm that both bicyclist and driver see and acknowledge each other’s presence. Ride defensively, stay visible and be prepared to react. It’s important never to assume that a driver sees you. · Maintain your bike. Check brakes, lubricate the chain, and check for proper tire pressure. Motorists · Three feet minimum of space when passing bicyclists · Avoid distractions. Never text and drive, limit or no cell phone use, turn down music/talk volume · Be aware that bicycles may be encountered at any time – day or night. · Eye contact and/or a quick nod is an easy way to confirm that both driver and bicyclist see and acknowledge each other’s presence. · Only enter the oncoming travel lane to pass a bicyclist when it is fully visible and free of oncoming traffic. If the oncoming travel lane is not fully visible or free of oncoming traffic, wait until it is to pass. · Do not drive, park, idle, open doors without looking for bicyclists. · Take the time to look for people on bikes—and other vulnerable road users—and to accurately judge their speed and distance, regardless of the time of day. · Understand that people on bikes may take the full lane at any time to avoid obstacles, to be more visible, to prepare for a left turn or to discourage drivers from passing when it is not safe. For more guidance on how to safely bike on the road, or how drivers can safely interact with bicyclists on the road, visit www.bicyclecolorado.org. ### ABOUT CDOT CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.

Access the statute here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/2009a_sl_239.pdf.

Currently, 35 states have statues in place requiring at least three-foot clearance between drivers and bicyclists.

Reminders for Bicyclists & Motorists to Safely Interact on the Road

Bicyclists

  • Wear a helmet to protect your head and reduce injury severity
  • Follow the rules of the road. Ride in the right-hand lane and when wide enough, ride on the right to allow vehicles to safely pass, except when turning, passing, or avoiding obstacles.
  • Use hand signals 100 ft. before turning, merging or stopping if you can do so while safely operating your bike.
  • Use extra caution after dark. Use bike lights, reflectors, and wear reflective clothing
  • Avoid distractions. Riding and using a cell phone use can be dangerous. Turn down music and remove headphones. Ride defensively and be aware of your surroundings.
  • Eye contact and/or a quick nod is an easy way to confirm that both bicyclist and driver see and acknowledge each other’s presence. Ride defensively, stay visible and be prepared to react. It’s important never to assume that a driver sees you.
  • Maintain your bike. Check brakes, lubricate the chain, and check for proper tire pressure.

Motorists

  • Three feet minimum of space when passing bicyclists
  • Avoid distractions. Never text and drive, limit or no cell phone use, turn down music/talk volume
  • Be aware that bicycles may be encountered at any time – day or night.
  • Eye contact and/or a quick nod is an easy way to confirm that both driver and bicyclist see and acknowledge each other’s presence. 
  • Only enter the oncoming travel lane to pass a bicyclist when it is fully visible and free of oncoming traffic. If the oncoming travel lane is not fully visible or free of oncoming traffic, wait until it is to pass.
  •  Do not drive, park, idle, open doors without looking for bicyclists.
  • Take the time to look for people on bikes—and other vulnerable road users—and to accurately judge their speed and distance, regardless of the time of day.
  • Understand that people on bikes may take the full lane at any time to avoid obstacles, to be more visible, to prepare for a left turn or to discourage drivers from passing when it is not safe. 

For more guidance on how to safely bike on the road, or how drivers can safely interact with bicyclists on the road, visit bicyclecolorado.org.