Colorado's Bicycle Safety Bill

Support for Senate Bill 148

SB 148 creates safe and common sense rules for bicycles and motor vehicles on public roads. Here are the highlights.

PASSING
The bill gives motorists more freedom to safely pass a bicyclist by allowing them to cross the centerline when safe to do so. By allowing three feet passing distance, it creates a safer environment on the road.

LANE POSITION
Clarifying language gives bicyclists the ability to ride as far right as is safe. Also on one-way roads with more than one lane, bicyclists may also ride as far left as is safe.

MORE THAN ONE RIDER
The bill clarifies that bicyclists may pass one another or ride side-by-side if they are not impeding the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

ANTI-HARASSMENT
Language in the bill makes throwing an object towards a bicyclist a class 2 misdemeanor and driving towards a bicyclist in a dangerous manner a careless driving offense.

Read the final text of SB 148- (PDF file)
Please note this now the final version that has been signed into law effective August 5, 2009

Bill Sponsors

We would like to thank these leaders are helping promote safety on Colorado roads. They represent a broad bi-partisan effort from the plains to the mountains and from cities to farms. Please thank them for their help.

Senate
Sponsor: Greg Brophy (R)
Co-sponsor: Dan Gibbs (D)

Additional Co-sponsors: Bacon (D), Boyd (D), Harvey (R), Heath (D), Kopp (R), Newell (D), Romer (D), Schwartz (D), Shaffer (D), Tapia (D), Williams (D)

House of Representatives
Sponsor: Michael Merrifield (D)
Co-sponsors: Terrance Carroll (D), Andy Kerr (D), Don Marostica (R), Frank McNulty (R)

Additional Co-sponsors: Balmer (R), Court (D), Fischer (D), Frangas (D), Gerou (R), Pace (D), Palmer (D), Priola (R), Rice (D), Scanlan (D), Schafer S. (D), Vigil (D)

"ROUTE TO VICTORY"
The bill must pass a committee in both the Senate and House as well as floor votes in each chamber. Here is our chart to track each vote on the way to becoming law.

How You Can Help

This effort is made possible by the nearly 7,000 individual members of Bicycle Coloroado. Please add your name to the list and contribute to better biking by donating or becoming a member.

Bill Tracking

The most recent version of SB 148 including any amendments, committee reports, and recorded votes is available at the Colorado General Assembly Website.

When you go to the link above just enter 148 into the search box. Each link across the page tracks the history of the bill.

In the News

Boulder Daily Camera 5/3/09 Guest editorial on the myths and realities of bill
Boulder Daily Camera 4/30/09 Boulder sheriff reverses position on Bicycle Safety Bill
Boulder Daily Camera 4/28/09 Boulder sheriff decries Bicycle Safety Bill
CBS 4 Denver 4/7/09 Greg Moody's Take on the Bicycle Safety Bill
Durango Herald 4/1/09 Bike Bill Fair to All
Loveland Connection 3/29/09 Bike-safety Amendment Limits Passing
Durango Herald 3/27/09 Bike buffer bill advances
Fort Collins Coloradoan 3/27/09 Bike safety bill advances in House
Denver Post 3/27/09 Amendment puts curbs on cyclists riding 2 abreast
Longmont Times Call 2/21/09 SB 148 would protect bicyclists, educate public
Fort Collins Coloradoan 2/20/09 Bike safety bill passes state Senate
Highlands Ranch Herald 2/18/09 Cyclists could get more room on roads
Channel 7 Denver 2/16/09 Bike Bill Rolls Into Enforcement Concerns
Loveland Connection 2/16/09 Enforcement of bike safety bill concerns sheriff
Boulder Daily Camera (AP) 2/16/09 Bike bill rolls into enforcement concerns
Fort Collins Coloradoan 2/15/09 Sheriff opposes new bike legislation
Durango KSUT Radio 2/12/09 Bill Addressing Motorist/Bicycle Conflicts Advances in CO Legislature
Denver Post 2/12/09 Share the road (you too, bikers)
Rocky Mountain News 2/11/09  Biking laws may be clarified
Denver Post 2/11/09  New rules for bicyclists roll through committee