Bikes vs. Horses: Who Has the Right of Way on Colorado Trails?
A recent video circulating on social media captures a heated exchange between a horse rider and a cyclist over right of way on a Colorado trail. The incident highlights an important but often misunderstood trail rule in the state: horses always have the right of way.
In the video, cyclist Julie Lurz and her horse Henry were crossing a bridge when tensions escalated. Lurz explained that they were moving back and forth on the bridge to help acclimate the horses, as bridges can be unnerving for them. “Horses have trouble with depth perception and are often scared by the hollow sound of bridges,” Lurz said. However, a cyclist tailgating behind them refused to wait.
“He was less than two feet from behind my horse, which is dangerous because horses have a blind spot back there,” Lurz said. When the horse rider stopped to explain the situation, the cyclist became confrontational, insisting he wasn’t going to wait for a horse.
Lurz’s friend, Debbie Kodra, who was also riding her horse and captured the video, explained the reason for the rule. “Everyone yields to horses for safety,” Kodra said. “Horses are prey animals that can easily be spooked, which can lead to dangerous situations.”
Although the horses were not startled this time, the incident serves as a reminder to trail users. Approaching horses too quickly—whether from behind or in front—can trigger unexpected reactions, even from well-trained animals.
To ensure safety, trail users should stop and ask riders the best way to pass safely. While signs about who yields to whom can sometimes be confusing, one rule is clear in Colorado: everyone must yield to horses.
