What bicycle equipment is required in Colorado, and why you should ride with bicycle lights even at daytime.
Surprisingly, Colorado state law only has a few bicycle equipment requirements, and a helmet isn’t one of them. Local municipal codes may go further, so it is best to check what your local laws require for bicycle equipment.
A bicycle operated on Colorado roads must always have a brake or brakes that can stop the cyclist within 25 feet from a speed of 10 mph on dry, level, clean pavement, and a red rear reflector that is visible to a motor vehicle’s low beams from 600 feet away. When operating a bicycle between sunset and sunrise or when lighting conditions or weather make the cyclist not clearly discernible from 1000 feet away, the bicycle must have a working front white head lamp visible from 500 feet away and reflective material or lighted lamp that make the bicycle visible from both sides by motor vehicle low beams from 600 feet away. Unlike Colorado state law, Denver municipal code requires that bicycles have a permanent seat, hand holds, and foot rests.
Front and rear lights are a smart and easy option for cyclists to increase their visibility to other road users even during the day. Some lights claim to be visible from up to 2 kilometers away. Using lights with a flash mode or are attachable to your feet or legs for movement can further increase your visibility. Not convinced you should use lights on your bike during the day. Other reasons to consider using front and rear lights during daylight hours include:
The color of your clothing may not contrast with the surrounding environment, which is always changing as you ride, even if you are wearing a bright color
During the winter months the sun is lower in the sky and creates more sun glare and longer shadows on the road from nearby trees and buildings which decreases your visibility to motor vehicle drivers
During the daylight you may ride into dark areas like underpasses and tunnels that decrease your visibility
A surprise daytime rainstorm can decrease ambient light and make you less visible
If you still aren’t convinced, some bicycle lights now come with enhanced technology features like turn signaling, slowing or braking signaling, and video cameras to record your ride and can capture important crash evidence and identifying information in the event of a hit and run.
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If you found this post helpful, you might also like to explore the other topics listed below and the many other topics in our comprehensive Safety & Prevention Guide, Brain Injury Guide, and Bike Injury Guide.
