Sharing the road isn’t just prudent, it’s the law

    Colorado is a bicycling state, so you either ride a bicycle or at least see bicycles often. You’ll see the casual riders, weekend riders, bike-to-work riders, and there are also many weeklong and weekend biking tours throughout the state, such as Ride the Rockies and Pedal the Plains. This means both bicycles and cars need to access the roadways at the same time and do it amicably. This is accomplished by being courteous to others and following the law.  
    When you’re out there driving, you need to be aware there are a multitude of things that you need to be watching for,  such as animals, pedestrians, bicycles, debris, broken-down vehicles and potholes, just to name a few. So let’s talk about bicycles this time.
    As a trooper, I’m often approached by both cyclists and drivers complaining about the other one. Both believe they have the right of way, and they are both right to a point. Each has the right of way at certain times. Putting the law to the side for a moment though, just think about it this way: Would you want someone doing that to you? Follow that philosophy and your actions will almost always be right.
    We have always had laws that govern cycling on the roadway, but recently we have also included laws for drivers when they are passing cyclists on the roadways. Probably the most contentious interaction between cyclist and driver is when they are passing each other when going the same direction. Colorado state law issues an order that cyclist are to ride as far right of the pavement as safely as possible. This is their responsibility. So if there is a shoulder, the rider is required to be on the shoulder and not in the lane of traffic. Now, cars have a part to play in this as well. Drivers are responsible to give at least three feet between them and the biker when passing.