Bicyclists, motorcycles, trucks and pedestrians

Key points

1. When passing bicyclists, even in a bike lane, give at least three feet from the outermost part of your vehicle or attachments.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “When passing bicyclists, including those in a bike lane, motorists are required to give a minimum of three feet from the outermost part of their vehicle or any attachments.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 22

2. If you cannot give three feet, slow down and stay behind the bicyclist until it is safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “If you are unable to give three feet, slow down and remain behind the bicyclist until it is safe to pass.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 22

3. Yield to bicyclists in intersections as you would to pedestrians and other vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “Yield to bicyclists in intersections as you would for pedestrians and other vehicles.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 22

4. People on bikes have the right of way in a bike lane, and bike lanes continue through intersections even where the paint does not.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “People on bikes have the right-of-way in a bike lane, and bike lanes continue through intersections, regardless of whether or not paint extends through the intersection.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 22

5. When an intersection is clear and they already have the right of way, bicyclists 15 and older may treat stop signs as yield signs and stop lights as stop signs.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “when an intersection is clear and a bicyclist already has the right-of-way, bicyclists ages 15 and older may now treat stop signs as yield signs and treat stop lights as stop signs.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 23

6. In lane filtering, a two wheeled motorcycle passes only where there is enough room to do so safely at no more than 15 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “there is enough room for the two-wheeled motorcycle to pass safely at a speed no greater than 15 miles per hour. This is called lane filtering.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 19

7. Motorcyclists are entitled to the same full lane width as other vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “Motorcyclists are entitled to the same full lane width as other vehicles.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 23

8. Stay behind white stop bars at stop signs and traffic lights, since many are measured to give trucks room to turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Stay behind white-painted stop bars at stop signs and traffic lights because many are carefully measured to give trucks the room they need for turns.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 20

9. Pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections and crosswalks, even unmarked ones.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and crosswalks, even if the lines are not marked or painted.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 24

10. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. The driver may be stopping for someone you cannot see.

    Source: Handbook p. 24

    “Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk because the driver may be stopping for pedestrians that you can't see.”
    Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 24

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Colorado practice test

1. 1. At a Colorado intersection or crosswalk, what must a driver do for a pedestrian?

   1. Yield and come to a complete stop so the pedestrian can pass safely
   2. Continue whenever the driver entered on a green signal
   3. Yield only when the crosswalk lines are freshly painted
   4. Sound the horn and proceed before the pedestrian reaches the lane
   Show answer

   Yield and come to a complete stop so the pedestrian can pass safely. The handbook gives pedestrians priority at all intersections and crosswalks, so the driver must stop and let the person pass safely. A green signal does not erase that duty, and the rule does not depend on newly painted lines. Honking is not a substitute for yielding and can pressure a vulnerable road user. As you approach a crossing, scan both sides, reduce speed, and be prepared to stop before entering the pedestrian's path.

2. 2. When must a Colorado driver yield to a bicyclist in a designated bike lane?

   1. Never, because bicycles are not vehicles
   2. Only when the bicyclist rings a bell
   3. Only after the driver enters the lane
   4. When merging with or crossing the lane to turn
   Show answer

   When merging with or crossing the lane to turn. A driver must yield to a bicyclist in a designated bike lane when merging with that lane or crossing it to turn. The bicycle is not a disposable obstacle, and Colorado treats bicycles on the road as vehicles with many of the same rights and responsibilities. Waiting for a bell adds a condition the rule does not require. Before crossing the lane, check beside and behind the vehicle, signal early, and let the bicyclist clear the intended path.

3. 3. At Colorado intersections and crosswalks, which road user must drivers always yield to?

   1. Only vehicles turning left
   2. Pedestrians
   3. The largest vehicle
   4. No one when the driver signals
   Show answer

   Pedestrians. Pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections and crosswalks, and the driver must stop completely so the person can pass safely. Signaling a turn does not replace that duty, and vehicle size has no bearing on who may cross first. The handbook specifically warns drivers to watch for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. A practical cue is to scan both sides of the crossing before rolling through, even when the roadway appears quiet.

Source: the Colorado Driver Handbook, Sharing the Road: Bicyclists, Motorcycles and Pedestrians. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.