Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that specifies authorization for a two-wheeled motorcycle to overtake another motor vehicle in the same lane in Colorado.

Highlights:

• Authorizes that a driver of a two-wheeled motor vehicle may overtake or pass another motor vehicle in the same lane as the motorcycle if the following conditions are true, (Sec. 2.3):

• The overtake or passed motor vehicle is stopped;

• The motor vehicles in the adjacent lanes, if the lanes are for the same direction of travel as the two wheeling motor vehicle are stopped; 

• The driver of the two wheeled motor vehicle is on a road with lanes wide enough to pass safely; 

• The passing motor vehicle is driving at fifteen miles per hour or less; and

• Specifies that conditions permit prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.

• Authorizes that when the motor vehicles being overtaken the driver of the motorcycle shall cease overtaking pursuant to this subsection (Sec. 2II). 

• Prohibits a person overtaking from passing on the right shoulder, to the right of a vehicle in the farthest right lane if the highway is limited access or in a lane of traffic moving in the opposite direction (Sec. 2 III). 

• Requires the department of transportation to analyze data on the safety effects of this section and issue a report to the general assembly including the following (Sec. 2IV). 

• Motorcycle rear-end collisions before and after the effective date of this subsection;

• The severity of rear end collisions in heavy traffic conditions before and after the effective date of this subsection; and

• Motorcycle side swipe collision while overtaking or passing at a rate less than fifteen miles per hour before and after the effective date of this subsection.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that specifies authorization for a two-wheeled motorcycle to overtake another motor vehicle in the same lane in Colorado.

Highlights:

• Authorizes that a driver of a two-wheeled motor vehicle may overtake or pass another motor vehicle in the same lane as the motorcycle if the following conditions are true, (Sec. 2.3):

• The overtake or passed motor vehicle is stopped;

• The motor vehicles in the adjacent lanes, if the lanes are for the same direction of travel as the two wheeling motor vehicle are stopped; 

• The driver of the two wheeled motor vehicle is on a road with lanes wide enough to pass safely; 

• The passing motor vehicle is driving at fifteen miles per hour or less; and

• Specifies that conditions permit prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.

• Authorizes that when the motor vehicles being overtaken the driver of the motorcycle shall cease overtaking pursuant to this subsection (Sec. 2II). 

• Prohibits a person overtaking from passing on the right shoulder, to the right of a vehicle in the farthest right lane if the highway is limited access or in a lane of traffic moving in the opposite direction (Sec. 2 III). 

• Requires the department of transportation to analyze data on the safety effects of this section and issue a report to the general assembly including the following (Sec. 2IV). 

• Motorcycle rear-end collisions before and after the effective date of this subsection;

• The severity of rear end collisions in heavy traffic conditions before and after the effective date of this subsection; and

• Motorcycle side swipe collision while overtaking or passing at a rate less than fifteen miles per hour before and after the effective date of this subsection.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Specifies authorization for a two-wheeled motorcycle to overtake another motor vehicle in the same lane.

Highlights:

• Authorizes that a driver of a two-wheeled motor vehicle may overtake or pass another motor vehicle in the same lane as the motorcycle if the following conditions are true, (Sec. 2.3):

• The overtake or passed motor vehicle is stopped;

• The motor vehicles in the adjacent lanes, if the lanes are for the same direction of travel as the two wheeling motor vehicle are stopped; 

• The driver of the two wheeled motor vehicle is on a road with lanes wide enough to pass safely; 

• The passing motor vehicle is driving at fifteen miles per hour or less; and

• Specifies that conditions permit prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.

• Authorizes that when the motor vehicles being overtaken the driver of the motorcycle shall cease overtaking pursuant to this subsection (Sec. 2II). 

• Prohibits a person overtaking from passing on the right shoulder, to the right of a vehicle in the farthest right lane if the highway is limited access or in a lane of traffic moving in the opposite direction (Sec. 2 III). 

• Requires the department of transportation to analyze data on the safety effects of this section and issue a report to the general assembly including the following (Sec. 2IV). 

• Motorcycle rear-end collisions before and after the effective date of this subsection;

• The severity of rear end collisions in heavy traffic conditions before and after the effective date of this subsection; and

• Motorcycle side swipe collision while overtaking or passing at a rate less than fifteen miles per hour before and after the effective date of this subsection.

Full Bill Text