Denver, CO Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Vehicle in bike lane
- Unlawful except crossing to turn
- Lane obstruction penalty
- Class A traffic infraction, § 54-4(a)
- Cyclist riding violation
- Criminal violation, § 54-3(a)
- Cyclist abreast limit
- Two abreast max outside bike lanes
- Exempt
- Uniformed city/state/police employees on duty
Summary
Denver bars drivers from moving into or parking in a marked bicycle lane except to cross it for a lawful turn, and requires cyclists on ordinary roadways to ride right and no more than two abreast: obstructing a bike lane is a Class A traffic infraction.
Whenever a lane of traffic on any street or highway is indicated by pavement marking or by a sign, as being assigned solely as a bicycle lane, it shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle to occupy such lane for moving or parking, except that a driver may cross such lane to make a lawful turning movement yielding the right-of-way to bicyclists occupying such lane.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-202(b) makes it unlawful for a driver to occupy a lane marked solely as a bicycle lane for moving or parking, except to cross it to make a lawful turn while yielding to cyclists already in the lane; a combined bike-and-parking lane carries the same rule outside of entering or leaving a parking space. Separately, § 54-572 requires cyclists on roadways to ride as near the right-hand side as they safely judge and bars riding more than two abreast except on lanes set aside exclusively for bicycles. Uniformed city, state, or federal employees and on-duty police are exempt from both sections.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or parking in a marked bicycle lane is a Class A traffic infraction under § 54-4(a); violating the bicycle riding rules in §§ 54-564: 54-583, including § 54-572, is a criminal violation under § 54-3(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop or park in a Denver bike lane to make a delivery?
How many cyclists can ride side by side in Denver?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
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