SB 18-144

Senate Bill 18-144 allows cities and counties in Colorado to create local rules for how bicycles should behave at intersections with stop signs or red lights. Under these rules, a cyclist can go through an intersection without stopping if it's safe and they slow down to a reasonable speed (which can be set between 10 to 20 miles per hour by the local government). For red lights, cyclists must still stop but can proceed when it’s safe. This bill affects anyone who rides a bicycle in Colorado, particularly those in areas that choose to implement these rules. Since the status is "signed," this means the bill has been approved and signed into law, so cities and counties can now create their own regulations based on what the bill outlines.

Official Summary

The bill permits a municipality or county to adopt a local ordinance or resolution regulating the operation of bicycles approaching intersections with stop signs or illuminated red traffic control signals. The ordinance shall not, however, apply to any portion of the state highway system. Under a local regulation, a bicyclist approaching a stop sign must slow to a reasonable speed and, when safe to do so, may proceed through the intersection without stopping. A bicyclist approaching an illuminated red traffic control signal must stop at the intersection and, when safe to do so, may proceed through the intersection. The bill sets the reasonable speed limit at 15 miles per hour. However, a municipality or county may lower the reasonable speed to 10 miles per hour or raise the limit to 20 miles per hour at any individual intersection. If the local government sets a lower or higher reasonable speed limit, the local government must post signage indicating that speed limit at the intersection. If the municipality or county adopts an ordinance or resolution pursuant to the act, it must be consistent with the act. An ordinance adopted before the effective date of the act that similarly regulates bicycles remains valid. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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