Proposed bill could change rules for cyclists at intersections in Colorado

DENVER -- A proposed bill in the Colorado Legislature could soon have cyclists yielding at stop signs and treating red lights as stop signs.  

Avid cyclist Sen. Andy Kerr, a Jefferson County Democrat who is sponsoring the Senate Bill 93, says the bill would increase safety for both drivers and cyclists.

“The studies show it increases bicycle and traffic safety overall,” said Sen. Kerr.

Kerr says a year after an Idaho bill similar to his passed, bicycle accidents went down by 14 percent.

"If a cyclist can clear the intersection before traffic accumulates and before other cars come up to the side, it decreases the chance of a crash,” said Kerr. 

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee for consideration.