Lakewood Municipal Code
10.51.020 Traffic laws apply to bicyclists, electrical assisted bicyclists, and low-power scooter riders.
Persons riding a bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or low-power scooter upon a roadway where bicycle electrical assisted bicycle, or low-power scooter travel is permitted shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties and penalties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle as set forth in this title, except those provisions of this title which, by their very nature, can have no application. (Ord. O-2012-9 § 18, 2012; Ord. O-78-79 § 6, 1978; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.030 Obedience to traffic-control devices
A. Every bicyclist and low-power scooter rider shall obey all stop signs, other traffic signs or markings and traffic lights, unless otherwise directed by a police agent. B. Whenever authorized regulatory signs are erected, no bicyclist shall disobey the direction of any such sign, except that when such person dismounts from the bicycle, he shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians. C. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-2012-9 § 19, 2012; Ord. O-78-79 § 7, 1978; Ord. O-75-96 § 83, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.040 Riding on bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.
A. A person propelling a bicycle or riding an electrical assisted bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent or regular seat attached thereto. B. No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. C. A person propelling a bicycle or riding an electrical assisted bicycle shall not ride with less than one hand on the handlebars at all times. D. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-2012-9 § 20, 2012; Ord. O-78-79 § 8; Ord. O-75-96 § 84, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.050 Riding on roadways and bicycle paths
A. 1. Any person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride in the right-hand lane, subject to the following conditions:
a. If the right-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the right as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.
b. A bicyclist may use a lane other than the right-hand lane wheni. Preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private roadway or driveway; ii. Overtaking a slower vehicle; oriii. Taking reasonably necessary precautions to avoid hazards or road conditions.
c. Upon approaching an intersection where right turns are permitted and there is a dedicated right-turn lane, a bicyclist may ride on the left-hand portion of the dedicated right-turn lane even if the bicyclist does not intend to turn right.
2. A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:
a. Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or, b. Ride without a reasonable safety margin on the right-hand side of the roadway.
3. A person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as judged safe by the bicyclist, subject to the following conditions:
a. If the left-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the left as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.
b. A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:
i. Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or narrow lanes; or, ii. Ride without reasonable safety margin on the left-hand side of the roadway.
B.1. Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
2. Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.
C. 1. A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in Sections 42-4-901 (1) , 42-4-903, and 42-4-1007, C.R.S. or may make a left turn in the manner prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subsection (C).
2. A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall approach the turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist shall stop, as much as practicable, out of the way of traffic. After stopping, the bicyclist shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway that the bicyclist had been using. After yielding and complying with any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection (C). The City may cause official traffic control devices to be placed on roadways and thereby require and direct that a specific course be traveled.
D. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (D) every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall signal the intention to turn or stop in accordance with Section 42-4-903, C.R.S.; except that a person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may signal a right turn with the right arm extended horizontally.
2. A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle before turning and shall be given while the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle.
E. 1. A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.
2. A person shall not ride a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices. A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices. 3. A person riding or walking a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to, the rights and duties granted and required by Section 42-4-802, C.R.S.
F. 1. A person may park a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or this Chapter.
2. A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.
3. A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.
4. A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another such bicycle or bicycles near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
5. In all other respects, bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform to the provisions of Part 12 of Article 42, C.R.S. regulating the parking of vehicles.
G. Except as authorized by Section 42-4-111, C.R.S. the rider of an electrical assisted bicycle shall not use the electrical motor on a bike or pedestrian path.
H. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-2012-9 § 22, 2012; Ord. O-2006-30 § 10, 2006; Ord. O-94-34 § 16, 1994; Ord. O-78-79 § 9; Ord. O-75-96 § 85, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.060 Speed
No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-75-96 § 86, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.070 Control of bicycles
No bicyclist shall ride on any roadway within this municipality in such a manner as to demonstrate a lack of control over his bicycle or his direction and manner of travel or in any fashion that constitutes a danger to the person or property of another or himself. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-75-96 § 87, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.080 Entering or emerging from alley or driveway
Every bicyclist emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, stop and yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-75-96 § 88, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.090 Parking
Every bicycle shall be parked in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian travel, and to vehicular traffic and parking. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-75-96 § 89, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.100 Riding on sidewalks
A. When signs are erected giving notice thereof, no person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk. B. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian. C. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-75-96 § 90, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.110 Equipment on bicycles, Electric Assisted Bicycles and Personal Assisted Mobility Devices (“EPAMD”).
A. Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle or EPAMD when in use on a street or highway between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, person and vehicles on the street or highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front.
B. Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD shall be equipped with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the department of revenue, which shall be visible for six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle or, in lieu of such reflective material, with a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least five hundred feet.
C. No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, any siren or whistle.
D. Every bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes that will enable its rider to stop the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle within twenty-five feet from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.
E. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-2012-9 § 23, 2012; Ord. O-2006-30 § 11, 2006; Ord. O-78-79 § 10, 1978; Ord. O-75-96 § 91, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.120 Clinging to vehicles
No person riding upon any bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-2012-9 § 25, 2012; Ord. O-78-79 § 11, 1978; Ord. O-75-96 § 92, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.51.130 Bicycle prohibited
Whenever official signs are erected giving notice that bicycles are prohibited, as authorized in this title, no bicyclist shall violate any of the instructions contained thereon. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-75-96 § 93, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).
10.36.070 Parking in bicycle lanes or pedestrian walkways
No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle in any area designated by official signs and/or pavement or curb markings as a bikeway, bicycle lane, bicycle path or pedestrian walkway or crosswalk, except in those areas where the on-street bikeway or pedestrian walkway is of sufficient width to allow the parking of motor vehicles and will not interfere with the passage of a bicycle within the designated bikeway or pedestrian walkway. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-75-96 § 48, 1975; Ord. O-75-21 § 1 (part), 1975).
10.24.070 Crowding or threatening bicyclist
A. The driver of a motor vehicle shall not, in a careless and imprudent manner, drive the vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward or near a bicyclist. B. Any person who violates Subsection (A) of this section commits careless driving as described in Section 10.18.020. (Ord O-2012-9 § 13, 2012)
10.60.050 Opening and closing vehicle doors
No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a Class 4 traffic offense. (Ord. O-75-96 § 117, 1975; Ord. O-74-44 § 1 (part), 1974).