Sharing the Road With Bicyclists in Denver

Sharing the road with bicyclists in Denver requires patience and respect for everyone using the street. The city’s expanding bikeway network means drivers regularly encounter cyclists on neighborhood streets and major corridors. A moment of distraction or an unsafe pass can cause a collision that leaves a rider with life-changing injuries.

When a bicycle crash occurs, an experienced bicycle accident attorney can investigate the driver’s actions and pursue compensation for medical bills and lost income. At The Wilhite Law Firm, we help injured riders understand their rights and take decisive action. We bring decades of experience and the resources to handle serious injury claims. Wilhite Wins.

What Does State Law Require From Drivers?

State law recognizes cyclists as lawful road users. Under Colo. Revised Statutes § 42-4-1003(1)(b), a driver overtaking a bicyclist must leave at least three feet between their vehicle and the rider. When there is not enough room to pass safely, the driver must slow down and stay behind the rider until the roadway is clear.

Drivers can cross a double yellow centerline to pass a cyclist when the maneuver is safe. They must also check for bicycles before turning or opening a door. Safely sharing a Denver street with cyclists means following each of these rules, and law enforcement may find a driver who ignores them to have failed to use reasonable care.

Common Hazards for Cyclists

The city continues to build neighborhood bikeways and protected routes to make cycling more accessible. The local authorities describe neighborhood bikeways as low-volume, low-speed streets that prioritize people who bike and walk. Even so, bicycle riders remain vulnerable when Denver motorists ignore lane markings while sharing the road. Common causes of bicycle crashes include a driver:

• Passing with less than three feet of clearance
• Turning across a bike lane
• Opening a vehicle door into a rider’s path
• Driving while distracted or impaired
• Failing to yield at an intersection

A personal injury claim involving a cyclist can depend on photographs and video along with witness statements and medical records, so it is vital to preserve this evidence quickly before it disappears.

Protecting Your Rights After a Bicycle Crash

After a collision, call 911, request medical care, and report the crash. Photograph the vehicles and roadway when you can do so safely, and collect contact and insurance information. Do not argue about fault or give a recorded statement to an insurer before receiving legal advice.

The state generally uses modified comparative negligence under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-111. You can recover damages if your share of fault is less than the combined fault of those from whom you seek to recover compensation, though a court will reduce this award by your percentage of responsibility. If you sustained injury while cycling in Denver because a motorist did not follow the rules for sharing the roadway, we can use evidence to challenge unfair blame and fault disputes.

Call Our Denver Bicycle Crash Lawyers Today if a Motorist Did Not Share the Road Safely

Safe streets depend on drivers giving cyclists the space and attention the law requires. If a careless motorist caused you harm, managing medical treatment and insurance pressure by yourself can be stressful. Safely sharing the road with bicyclists in Denver is a legal duty, and we can help you hold a negligent driver accountable.

Our firm is deeply rooted in Colorado and equipped to pursue claims against drivers and insurers. Call The Wilhite Law Firm now or start a chat with our team for a free consultation. We will explain your options and pursue the full recovery the law allows. Wilhite Wins.