Arvada, CO Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- MTC § 1007(3), added by Sec. 54-37
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 4384 § 2, effective 4-15-2013
- Exceptions
- emergency, maintenance, disabled, e-bike, left-turn pass, bus
- Two-abreast bicycle limit
- Sec. 54-41, MTC § 1412(6)
- Penalty ceiling
- 180 days jail if misdemeanor traffic offense
Summary
Arvada bans driving or operating a motorcycle or motor-driven vehicle inside a marked bicycle lane under Sec. 54-37, with narrow carve-outs for emergency, maintenance, and disabled vehicles, e-bikes, left-turn passing, and buses picking up riders.
1007. Driving on roadways laned for traffic. (3)No person shall ride or operate a motorcycle or motor-driven vehicle within a bicycle lane or path designated for the use of bicycles except for maintenance, construction or emergency vehicles, temporarily disabled vehicles, electrical assisted bicycles as defined in C.R.S. § 42-1-102(28.5), vehicles executing a legal parking maneuver, passing a vehicle turning left, and buses entering or leaving the bicycle lane to pick up or discharge passengers.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: City Council Policy Manual: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
Arvada adopted the 2010 Model Traffic Code for Colorado by reference in Sec. 54-31, then layered local amendments on top of it. Sec. 5); a vehicle executing a legal parking maneuver; a vehicle passing another vehicle that is turning left; and a bus entering or leaving the lane to pick up or discharge passengers. The rule targets motorized vehicles rather than cyclists. Cyclist conduct in and around bike lanes is separately governed by Sec. 54-41's amendment of MTC Section 1412: riders "shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles and electric scooters," and even riding two abreast may not impede normal traffic movement on a laned roadway.
Sec. 54-31(e) applies these rules on every street, alley, sidewalk area, driveway, park, and public parking area the city has jurisdiction to regulate. Violations are classified under Sec. 54-42's addition of MTC Section 1705: a misdemeanor traffic offense carries a fine up to the Sec. 1-5 limit or up to 180 days imprisonment, while any violation not specifically listed as a misdemeanor under Sec. 58-41(a)(2) is a noncriminal traffic infraction punishable by fine only.
Violations & Fines
Driving or parking a car, truck, or motorcycle inside a marked bicycle lane without one of the six listed exceptions is a citable Model Traffic Code violation enforced by Arvada police. Most bike-lane infractions are noncriminal traffic infractions with a fine set by the Sec. 1-5 penalty schedule, but a violation tied to reckless or careless driving under MTC Sections 1401 or 1402 exposes the driver to misdemeanor traffic-offense penalties of up to 180 days in jail. Sec. 54-42 also allows each day a violation continues, such as a vehicle left standing in the lane, to be charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive briefly in an Arvada bike lane to pass a car turning left?
Is it legal to park in an Arvada bicycle lane?
Do electric bicycles count as motor-driven vehicles under the bike-lane ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arvada
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