Colorado Now Has a Statewide Ban on Parking in Bike Lanes

A bike lane is not a loading zone, a rideshare pickup spot, or a place to wait while someone runs inside for a few minutes, despite what some people may think!

Colorado has now made that explicit statewide.

As of August 12, 2026, House Bill 26-1237 prohibits drivers from stopping, standing, or parking in a designated bike lane, with limited exceptions.

This does not mean bike lanes were previously unregulated. Many local rules already prohibited stopping or parking in them. The change is that Colorado law now clearly and uniformly identifies bike lanes as spaces where stopping, standing, or parking is not allowed.

Why This Matters

When a vehicle blocks a bike lane, cyclists are forced into general traffic to get around it. A space designed to separate cyclists from motor vehicles suddenly pushes them into the flow of traffic.

The stop’s duration doesn’t change the risk. A delivery driver, rideshare pickup, or quick errand can create the same hazard as long-term parking.

From a cyclist’s perspective, “just a minute” is still a minute they may need to pass.

The danger usually increases when cyclists leave the bike lane. Drivers may not expect a cyclist to merge into traffic, and other vehicles may attempt to pass in unsafe conditions. A single obstruction can quickly create a traffic debacle.

With high hopes, this will help curb some of those instances. Pun intended.

What the Law Prohibits

HB26-1237 amends Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-1204 to include designated bike lanes among the areas where vehicles may not stop, stand, or park.

Some exceptions remain, such as stopping to avoid a traffic conflict or complying with a police officer. But convenience is not an exception.

The result is a clear statewide rule: if it is a designated bike lane, keep your car (or other vehicle) out of it.

Colorado bike lanes are generally for use by traditional bicycles, Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes, scooters, electric scooters (which we hate), and certain moped-like low-power scooters.

When a Blocked Bike Lane Contributes to a Crash

Ultimately, a blocked bike lane may contribute to serious collisions.

For example, if a driver stops in a bike lane and a cyclist is forced into traffic to go around the vehicle and is then struck by another driver, the parked vehicle may still be relevant to how the crash occurred, even without physical contact.

Colorado law allows violations of safety statutes to be considered when evaluating negligence, but a violation alone does not automatically establish legal responsibility. A causal connection to the crash must still exist.

In many cases, multiple factors may be involved. The striking driver may have been speeding, distracted, or following too closely. At the same time, the illegally stopped vehicle may have created the conditions that forced the cyclist into harm’s way.

Evidence such as photos, video footage, and witness statements is often critical in determining what happened and comparative fault.

If you have been injured in a bicycle crash in Colorado, The O’Sullivan Law Firm can help investigate the incident, preserve evidence, and identify available insurance coverage. Call or text for free legal advice.