Ask the cyclista
The Colorado Safety Stop and who is the real a$$hole

I’ve often wondered why some vehicle drivers hate sharing the road with cyclists so much. I think it has a lot to do with cyclists’ speed. We go slower than motor vehicles, and so we delay them by a few seconds from getting to work or going home to feed their dog. And that can be annoying, especially for the dogs. Largely though, I think vehicle drivers are often kind of scared of cyclists. They’re scared, because cyclists are vulnerable and also sometimes somewhat unpredictable. We can make quick movements, and we travel in a space that isn’t the middle of the road, so all eyes aren’t on us. We often ride with the flow of traffic, but we’re harder to see, because we’re smaller and less assuming. We do have rules and laws, but a handful of them are different than those of cars, although some of them are the same. A lot of us ride unlawfully and sometimes quite aggressively, but speaking for myself, it’s often to make sure I get where I’m going safely, and that I don’t get hit by a car. 

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to sharing the road with cyclists, and so I often get questions – mostly from cyclists themselves – about the rights, rules and laws of sharing the road. Where are cyclists allowed and not allowed? What are the laws? What are safe practices? Since I often receive many of the same questions, I’ve decided to start answering these questions publicly, so we all may learn how to safely, effectively and happily share the road together. 

A few weeks ago, I received this question with a specific scenario:

Q: “I’ve been yelled at by drivers twice now when going north on Florida for not stopping at the new stop signs. I never just go through if someone from Holly is stopped first to give them shoulder room. But it’s always a guy yelling from some beater car in the southbound lane.

Am I the asshole? We have the OK to use the stop as a yield, correct? Just trying to justify my own actions, but I’m curious if I’m alone. I usually respond with a thumbs up or a smile, but it’s getting scarier and scarier out there in the commute. Any advice?”

– Critter G

A: No, you are not the asshole (at least not in this scenario), and what you are referring to is known as the “Colorado Safety Stop.”

The Colorado Safety Stop was passed on April 13, 2022, (happy belated anniversary), and it mimics the infamous “Idaho Stop” or “California Roll,” which allows cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, and treat stop lights as stop signs. 

Meaning that if a cyclist comes upon a stop sign, and there are no other cars present, they can slowly continue through the stop sign without stopping. However, if there are vehicles already present at the intersection, the cyclist must yield and wait for the other vehicle(s) to proceed through the intersection. In addition, if a cyclist comes upon a stop light in a similar situation, and there is no oncoming traffic, they have the right of way and can proceed through the red light. 

Some caveats: you (the cyclist) have to slow down to about 10 miles per hour in order to proceed through the intersection. You also have to be at least 15 years old or in the presence of an adult to legally perform the Safety Stop. 

Hopefully that clears things up a bit. If not, and even though many of us have gone decades without a driving course refresher, there is always Google to help us with laws, and defining what “right of way” means. And also how to use your turn signal (unrelated, but we could all use a refresher).

So, next time you’re at a stop sign or stop light, and you have the right of way, you’re an adult and you are proceeding at a moderate rate of speed, you are legally allowed to roll on through (in the same breath, if there are vehicles already present at the intersection, you must yield to them). And if a guy yells at you, he’s probably just jealous that you get to ride your bike, and he is stuck in a beater car. 

I already have a few more questions brewing in the bucket, but if you’d like to send me yours, email info@bikedurango.org. Please keep questions respectful and civil. 

Also, please consider supporting safer, better and more bike-friendly commuting in Durango by visiting www.bikedurango.org and becoming a member. Follow us on IG @bikedurango to stay up to date with what we have going on.