Riding on Denver’s Streets
What are the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists on roadways?
Do I have to obey stop signs and traffic signals when on my bicycle?
Can I ride my bicycle on the sidewalk?
How can I safely ride a bike on the street?
What is a "designated bike lane?"
What is a sharrow? How do I use it?
How can I find out where to bike in Denver?
Q: What are the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists on roadways?
A: Bicycles are considered vehicles and, as such, bicyclists all the rights and responsibilities that apply to drivers of motorized vehicles. Bicyclists are allowed on any Denver street.
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Q: Do I have to obey stop signs and traffic signals when on my bicycle?
A: Bicyclists have all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle and can be penalized for violating traffic laws. Bicyclists are required to obey all traffic control devices, including traffic signals, stop or yield signs, one-way signs, etc.
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Q: Can I ride my bicycle on the sidewalk?
A: Ordinance 54-576 prohibits bicyclist from using the sidewalk unless the sidewalk is part of an officially designated bike route. Even where the sidewalk is part of an officially designated bike route, make sure that motorists see you before crossing streets and driveways. Always yield to pedestrians.
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Q: How can I safely ride a bike on the street?
A: The following rules and guidelines will help increase bicycle safety.
- Ride with the flow of traffic. Act like a vehicle on the roads, bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities.
- Ride as far right as is safe and reasonable. You may move toward the center of the lane when passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, avoiding hazards or obstacles, or riding at the same speed as traffic. Before moving out into the roadway for any reason, always look behind you, signal and yield to traffic.
- Follow lane markings. When approaching an intersection, make sure you’re in the appropriate lane for your direction of travel. Never go straight through in a turning lane; turn left from the right lane or ride between lanes.
- Make eye contact with drivers. Never assume motorists see you or that you have the right of way. Expect the unexpected. Never assume motorists see you or that you have the right-of-way.
- Use hand signals to indicate turns, lane changes and stops. Signal before, not while you make your move. Pass on the left side of slower bicycles as other vehicles do.
- Always wear a helmet and use a headlight, taillight and reflectors. Be visible! Wear bright colors during the day and white or reflective clothing at night.
- Be alert! Expect the unexpected.
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Q: What is a "designated bike lane?"
A: A portion of the roadway designated by striping, pavement markings, and, if used, signage, for the preferential or exclusive use of bicyclists.
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Q: What is a sharrow? How do I use it?
A: Sharrow is an abbreviated term for a shared lane arrow. Although motorists and cyclists are always expected to share public roadways, sharrows are a pavement marking symbol for use on select designated on-street bike routes to provide a visual reminder that motorists and cyclists are to share the road.
As a cyclist, ride through the center of the sharrow, over the “arrow point,” to be outside of a parked car’s “door zone.”
As a motorist on a roadway with sharrows, be alert to the presence of cyclists. If a cyclist is present, be aware that you must have 3 feet to pass the cyclist or wait for the cyclist to turn off the roadway.
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Q: How can I find out where to bike in Denver?
A: The Denver Bike Map, and additional biking information, is available online. A free, hard copy version of the Denver Bike Map can be obtained at the Webb Building, 201 W Colfax Avenue. Denver Bike Maps are free.
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Riding on Denver’s Trails and Paths
How do I appropriately ride on Denver’s trails?
Do I have to stay in a certain area when I bike on the trail?
What if the trail is crowded with pedestrians, bicyclists, dogs, skaters?
Q: How do I appropriately ride on Denver’s trails?
A: While there are no city-wide statues regulating multi-use trails, below is a list of suggested practices.
- Please be courteous and respectful of all trail users.
- Ride of the right side, obeying traffic control signs and markings on trail.
- Pass on the left, when the trail is clear of traffic.
- Give audible warning before overtaking other trail users
- Ring your bike bell
- Loudly and clearly call out "Passing"
- Use hand signals to indicate turns and stops.
- Watch for the unexpected, especially with kids or dogs.
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Q: Do I have to stay in a certain area when I bike on the trail?
A: Always ride on the right side of the trail, except when passing. On the “Wheels and Heels” twinned sections of the trails (Cherry Creek Trail between) Stout Street and Confluence Park), bicyclist and skaters use one trail, and walkers and joggers on the other.
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Q: What if the trail is crowded with pedestrians, bicyclists, dogs, skaters?
A: Slow down when the trail is crowded, and travel at speeds that are safe and appropriate to trail conditions.
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Bike Parking
Does the city provide bike racks for private property owners?
What do I need to do to install a bike rack at my business or office?
Q: Does the city provide bike racks for private property owners?
A: Unfortunately the city does not have budget to install bike racks throughout the city.
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Q: What do I need to do to install a bike rack at my business or office?
A: The owner that wants to install the bike rack will contact Right of Way Inspection at 303-446-3469. A district inspector will meet the owner and inspect the location of where the bike rack will be installed. Once they agree to the location of the rack the owner will contact Public Works Permit Operations to obtain a right-of-way occupancy permit (Permit Requirements). The owner shall install the bike rack.
The standards for bike racks and locations can be found here: Equipment Standards
If you are part of a local Business Improvement District, you should contact them to see if they have any alternate funding opportunities or installation/design requirements beyond those of the City.
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