Colorado Code § 42-4-1503

Operating motorcycles and autocycles on roadways laned for traffic - report - repeal
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(1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a traffic lane, and no motor
vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a traffic
lane. This subsection (1) shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
(2) The driver of a motorcycle or autocycle shall not overtake or pass in the same lane
occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
(3) (a) A person shall not drive a motorcycle or autocycle between lanes of traffic or
between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(b) (I) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3)(a) of this section, the driver of a two-
wheeled motorcycle may overtake or pass another motor vehicle in the same lane as the
motorcycle if:
(A) The overtaken or passed motor vehicle is stopped;
(B) The motor vehicles in the adjacent lanes, if the lanes are for the same direction of
travel as the lane occupied by the two-wheeled motorcycle, are stopped;
(C) The driver of the two-wheeled motorcycle is on a road with lanes wide enough to
pass safely;
(D) The passing motorcycle is driving at fifteen miles per hour or less; and
(E) Conditions permit prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.
(II) When the motor vehicles that are being overtaken or passed by the two-wheeled
motorcycle begin moving, the driver of the motorcycle shall cease overtaking or passing a motor
vehicle pursuant to subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section.
(III) A person overtaking or passing pursuant to this subsection (3)(b) shall not overtake
or pass:
(A) On the right shoulder;
(B) To the right of a vehicle in the farthest right-hand lane if the highway is not limited
access; or
(C) In a lane of traffic moving in the opposite direction.
(IV) This subsection (3)(b) is repealed, effective September 1, 2027.
(c) (I) The department of transportation shall analyze data on the safety effects of
subsection (3)(b) of this section and issue a report to the general assembly by January 1, 2027.
The data and report must include:
(A) Motorcycle rear-end collisions before and after August 7, 2024;
(B) The severity of rear-end collisions in heavy traffic conditions before and after
August 7, 2024; and
(C) Motorcycle side-swipe collisions while overtaking or passing at a rate of less than
fifteen miles per hour before and after August 7, 2024.
(II) This subsection (3)(c) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.
(4) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
(5) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the
performance of their official duties.
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.

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