Connecticut Bike Laws

State Bike Laws

http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dbikes/cover_page.pdf
(Source: Connecticut Department of Transportation)
Sec. 13a-57b: Areas for bicycles and pedestrians. The Commissioner of Transportation shall, whenever possible, encourage the inclusion of areas for bicycles and pedestrians when (1) creating a layout of a state highway, in accordance with section 13a-57, or (2) relocating a state highway, in accordance with section 13a-56.
Sec. 13a-91: Sidewalks on bridges. (a) The commissioner may cause to be constructed or reconstructed a sidewalk on any bridge or approaches to any bridge on any state highway when in his opinion public safety so requires. Except as provided in subsection (b), all sidewalks on bridges or approaches to bridges maintained by the commissioner shall be maintained by said commissioner, and such maintenance shall include responsibility for the removal of snow and ice from such sidewalks. As used herein, "approaches" includes the highway adjoining such bridge to the next side road or to a point where access may be attained by the adjoining property owner, whichever distance is less. (b) In the case of any footpath or sidewalk constructed or reconstructed in accordance with section 2242 of the general statutes, revision of 1949, by agreement between the commissioner and the authorized official or officials of a town, city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough, which footpath or sidewalk is maintained by the commissioner, the removal of snow and ice therefrom shall be the responsibility of the town, city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough.
Sec. 13a-141: Bridle paths; pedestrian walks; bicycle paths. (a) Upon written application made to the commissioner in such form as he prescribes, said commissioner may issue permits to private individuals, corporations or other organizations or to towns or other public authorities or agencies to construct and maintain, at the expense of the permittee or permittees, bridle paths, pedestrian walks, bicycle paths and suitable entrances to, and exits from, such walks and paths on the land owned by the state along any highway maintained by the state. Each such permit shall specify the location of the proposed walks and paths and entrances and exits which may be constructed and maintained thereunder. Each such permit may be revoked at any time, with or without cause, by the commissioner. All construction and maintenance work pursuant to each such permit shall be subject to the supervision and control of the commissioner or, if the permittee so desires and said commissioner consents thereto, the funds for such work may be deposited in advance with the commissioner and the construction and maintenance work may then be performed by the commissioner to the extent that funds so deposited will pay for the same, provided, if the work is performed by the commissioner, he shall furnish to the permittee, prior to the commencement of such work, an estimate of the cost thereof, with specifications of the work to be done. No fee shall be charged any resident of the state for the use of such walks and paths. If a town or other public authority or agency requests a permit to construct and maintain such path or walk the commissioner is authorized to contribute one-half of the cost of construction of such path or walk from funds available to the Department of Transportation, provided such town, public authority or agency agrees to assume the maintenance, responsibility, liability and supervision of such path or walk. (b) When the selectmen of any town discontinue any highway or private way, or land dedicated as such, pursuant to section 13a-49, they may except from the operation of such discontinuance and reserve to the town and to the public such rights in such discontinued highway, private way or land dedicated as such, as may be reasonably necessary to construct and maintain a bridle path, pedestrian walk or bicycle path.
Any such rights excepted and reserved to a town under this section shall be subject to the rights of property owners bounding a discontinued highway as are provided in section 13a-55.
Sec. 13a-141a: State-wide footpath and bicycle trail plan. (a) The Commissioner of
Transportation shall prepare and, when necessary, revise a state-wide plan for the establishment of footpaths and bicycle trails to be located adjacent to state and local roads except: (1) Where the establishment of such paths and trails would be contrary to public health and safety; (2) if the cost of establishing such paths and trails would be excessively disproportionate to the need or probable use; or (3) where sparsity of population, other available ways or other factors indicate an absence of any need for such paths and trails. (b) Said commissioner shall cause to be constructed and maintained such footpaths and bicycle trails adjacent to state roads as are designated in the state-wide plan prepared under subsection (a) of this section. (c) Any private individual, corporation or other organization or any town or other public authority or agency wishing to construct and maintain a footpath or bicycle trail along any highway maintained by the state shall comply with the provisions of section 13a-141. (d) No footpath or bicycle trail to be located, in whole or in part, within the boundaries of any transit district shall be constructed without the prior approval of such transit district. Any footpath or bicycle trail proposed by a transit district, whether or not said footpath or bicycle trail is included in the state-wide plan, shall be given priority in planning and construction.
Sec. 13a-153: State liability for bridle paths, pedestrian walks and bicycle paths and
injuries thereon. (a) No person, firm or corporation performing or engaged in performing work under the provisions of section 13a-141 or contributing any labor, services, supplies or materials in connection therewith shall have any claim against the state either (1) for compensation or payment for such labor, services, supplies or materials, except to the extent that funds for the payment thereof have been deposited with the commissioner as provided in said section, or (2) for any injuries or damages to person or property suffered or incurred while performing such work or in connection therewith. (b) Each person, firm or corporation using the pedestrian walks, bicycle paths, bridle paths, entrances or exits provided for in section 13a-141, section 13a-141a, or using any lane or other part or facility of any highway, road, bridge or parking facility provided by the state for bicycle traffic or using the walk or path connections provided for in section 13a-142, shall do so at his or its own risk, and no liability shall accrue to the state or any agency or employee of the state for any injuries or damages to any person or property which may result, either directly or indirectly, from the use of such walks, paths, entrances, exits or connections.
Sec. 14-286. Use of bicycles and bicycles with helper motors.
Use of bicycles and bicycles with helper motors. Regulations re bicycles on bridges. Use of high-mileage vehicles. (a) Each person operating a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across any roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal within a reasonable distance before overtaking and passing a pedestrian. Each person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall within a reasonable distance give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian or another bicycle operator. No person shall operate a bicycle upon or along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk if such operation is prohibited by any ordinance of any city, town or borough or by any regulation of the State Traffic Commission issued or adopted pursuant to the provisions of section 14-298. (b) No person shall ride a bicycle with a helper motor unless that person holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license or motorcycle operator's license. No person shall operate a bicycle with a helper motor at a rate of speed exceeding thirty miles per hour; nor shall any bicycle with a helper motor be operated on any sidewalk, limited access highway or turnpike. (c) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue to a person who does not hold a valid operator's license a special permit that authorizes such person to ride a bicycle with a helper motor if (A) such person presents to the commissioner a certificate by a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state that such person is physically disabled, as defined in section 1-1f, other than blind, and that, in the physician's opinion, such person is capable of riding a bicycle with a helper motor, and (B) such person demonstrates to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that he is able to ride a bicycle (i) without a helper motor on level terrain, and (ii) with a helper motor. (2) Such permit may contain limitations that the commissioner deems advisable for the safety of such person and for the public safety, including, but not limited to, the maximum speed of the helper motor such person may use. No person who holds a valid special permit under this subsection shall operate a bicycle with a helper motor in violation of any limitations imposed in the permit. Any person to whom a special permit is issued shall carry the permit at all times while operating the bicycle with a helper motor. Each permit issued under this subsection shall expire one year from the date of issuance. (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of any statute or regulation to the contrary, the State Traffic Commission shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 determining the conditions and circumstances under which bicycle traffic may be permitted on those bridges in the state on limited access highways which it designates to be safe for bicycle traffic. Bicycle traffic shall not be prohibited on any such bridges under such conditions and circumstances. (e) As used in this section: (1) "Sidewalk" means any sidewalk laid out as such by any town, city or borough, and any walk which is reserved by custom for the use of pedestrians, or which has been specially prepared for their use. "Sidewalk" does not include crosswalks and does not include footpaths on portions of public highways outside thickly settled parts of towns, cities and boroughs, which are worn only by travel and are not improved by such towns, cities or boroughs or by abutters; (2) "bicycle" includes all vehicles propelled by the person riding the same by foot or hand power or a helper motor; and (3) "helper motor" means a motor having a capacity of less than fifty cubic centimeters piston displacement, rated not more than two brake horsepower, capable of a maximum speed of no more than thirty miles per hour and equipped with automatic transmission. (f) Any person who pleads not guilty of violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be prosecuted within fifteen days of such plea. (g) No person may operate a high-mileage vehicle as defined in section 14-1 on any sidewalk, limited access highway or turnpike. (h) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 14-286a. Rights, duties and regulation of cyclists.
(a) Every person riding a bicycle, as defined by section 14-286, upon the traveled portion of a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any vehicle subject to the requirements of the statutes relating to motor vehicles, except as to those provision which by their nature can have no application and except that each town, city, or borough and the State Traffic Commission within its jurisdiction as provided in section 14-298 shall have authority to regulate bicycles as provided in section 14-289 and said section 14-298, and except as provided by section 14-286c. No parent of any child and no guardian of any ward shall authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any provision of the general statutes or ordinances enacted under section 14-289 relating to bicycles. (b) Every person operating a bicycle solely by hand or foot power upon and along any sidewalk or across any roadway upon and along any crosswalk shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians walking in such areas as provided by the general statutes, except as provided otherwise by any ordinance of any city, town or borough or any regulation of the State Traffic Commission issued or adopted pursuant to the provision of section 14-289.
Sec. 14-286b. Operation of bicycles; attaching to moving vehicle prohibited; carrying of passengers, packages, bundles and other articles restricted; at least one hand to be kept on handle bars.
Operation of bicycles; attaching to moving vehicle prohibited; carrying of passengers, packages, bundles and other articles restricted; at least one hand to be kept on handle bars. Operators of roller skates, sleds, skateboards, coasters and toy vehicles prohibited from attaching to moving vehicle. Penalty. (a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when (1) making a left turn pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-241, (2) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, (3) overtaking and passing pedestrians, parked vehicles, animals or obstructions on the right side of the highway, and
(4) when the right side of the highway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair. (b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast, as provided in this subsection, shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.
(c) No person riding upon any bicycle, roller skates, sled, skateboard, coaster or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle moving or about to move on a public roadway nor shall the operator of such vehicle knowingly permit any person riding a bicycle, roller skates, skateboard, coaster, sled or toy vehicle to attach the same or himself to such vehicle so operated or about to be operated, provided any person operating a bicycle solely by foot or hand power may attach a bicycle trailer or semitrailer thereto, provided such trailer or semitrailer is designed for such attachment.
(d) No person operating a bicycle, as defined by section << 14-286>> , upon a roadway, path or part of roadway set aside for exclusive use of bicycles shall carry on such bicycle a passenger unless such bicycle is equipped or designed to carry passengers, provided any person who has attained the age of eighteen years may carry any child while such person is operating a bicycle propelled solely by foot or hand power, provided such child is securely attached to his person by means of a back pack, sling or other similar device. The term "child", as used in this subsection, means any person who has not attained the age of four years. (e) No person operating a bicycle, as defined by section << 14-286>>, shall carry any package, bundle or other article which prevents such person from using both hands in the operation of such bicycle. Each person operating such bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars thereof when such bicycle is in motion. (f)
Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 14-286c. Left and right turns.
(a) Each person riding a bicycle upon the traveled portion of a highway and intending to make a left turn after proceeding pursuant to the provisions of section 14-244 of subsection (b) of this section, may in lieu of the procedure prescribed by section 14-241, approach as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the highway, proceed across the intersecting roadway and make such turn as close as practicable to the curb or edge of the highway on the far side of the intersection, provided such procedure is not prohibited by any regulation issued by any town, city, borough or the State TrafficCommission. (b) Each person riding a bicycle upon the traveled portion of a highway and intending to make a right turn may in lieu of the procedure prescribed by section 14-244, before turning and while in motion or if stopped while waiting to turn signal such turn by extending his right hand and arm horizontally with forefinger extended. (c) No person operating a bicycle upon the traveled portion of a highway and intending to make a right or left turn shall be required when making a signal intention to make such signal continuously.
Sec. 14-286d. Bicycle helmets.
Children. Renting bicycles. Public awareness campaign. (a) For the purposes of this section, “bicycle” means any vehicle propelled by the person riding the same by foot or hand power. (b) No child fifteen years of age or under shall operate a bicycle on the traveled portion of any highway unless such child is wearing protective headgear which conforms to the minimum specifications established by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation’s Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling. Failure to comply with this section shall not be a violation or an offense. Failure to wear protective headgear as required by this subsection shall not be considered to be contributory negligence on the part of the parent or the child nor shall such failure be admissible in any civil action. (c) A law enforcement officer may issue a verbal warning to the parent or guardian of a child that such child has failed to comply with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section. (d) A person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of renting bicycles shall provide a bicycle helmet conforming to the minimum specifications established by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation’s Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling to any person under sixteen years of age who will operate the bicycle if such person does not have a helmet in his possession. A fee may be charged for the helmet rental. Violation of any of the provisions of this subsection shall be an infraction. (e) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may establish, within available appropriations, a public awareness campaign to educate the public concerning the dangers of riding bicycles without helmets and to promote the use of safety helmets while riding bicycles.
Sec. 14-286e. Police officers on bicycles.
(a) A police officer operating a bicycle in response to an emergency call or while engaged in rescue operations or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected
violator of the law shall be exempt from the provisions of sections 14-286, 14-286a, 14-286b, 14-286c and 14-289 provided (1) the police officer is wearing a distinctive uniform and (2) the police officer has completed a course of instruction in basic police bicycle patrol certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council or an equivalent course of instruction. (b) The exemptions granted in subsection (a) of this section shall apply only when such bicycle is making use of an audible warning signal device, including, but not limited to a siren, whistle or bell. (c) The provisions of this section shall not relieve the operator of a bicycle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property.
Sec. 14-287. Carrying person other than operator on bicycle.
Section 14-287 is repealed.
Sec. 14-288. Lights, reflectors and brakes on bicycles.
Whistle emitting devices prohibited. (a) Each bicycle operated upon the public highway, during the times or under the conditions as provided in subsection (a) of section 14-96a, shall display a lighted lamp upon the forward part of such bicycle. Such lamp shall, when lighted, emit a white light which in clear weather shall be visible at a distance of not less than five hundred feet in the direction in which such bicycle is proceeding. Each bicycle shall also, at all times, be equipped with a reflector or reflecting tail light lens, which reflector or lens shall be attached to the rear of such bicycle in such manner as to reflect rays of light thrown upon the same, and such reflector or reflecting tail shall be visible at a distance of not less than six hundred feet from the rear when illuminated by the head lamps of a motor vehicle. Such bicycle shall also be equipped with reflective material so placed and of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides of such bicycle at a distance of not less than six hundred feet when illuminated by the head lamps of a motor vehicle. Each bicycle shall also, at all times, be equipped with a braking device sufficient to enable the operator thereof to stop within twenty-five feet on dry, level and clean pavement when moving at a speed of ten miles per hour. No person shall equip a bicycle with a siren or device which emits a whistle or use a siren or device which emits a whistle while operating a bicycle. (b) Operation of a bicycle in conflict with any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 14-289. Regulation of use of bicycles by municipality.
Each town, city and borough shall have authority to make any ordinance not inconsistent with section 14-286 or 14-288 or any regulation of the State Traffic Commission issued pursuant to section 14-298, respecting governing and controlling the use of bicycles within such town, city or borough, with appropriate penalties for violation thereof, which ordinances may include provisions requiring annual licensing of bicycles and providing for registration of any sale of, or change of ownership in, a bicycle.
Sec. 14-300. Crosswalks. Pedestrian-control signals. Regulation of pedestrians and motor vehicles at crosswalks. (a) The traffic authority shall have power to designate, by appropriate devices or markers or by lines upon the surface of the highway, such crosswalks and intersections as, in its opinion, constitute an especial danger to pedestrians crossing the highway including, but not limited to, specially marked crosswalks in the vicinity of schools, which crosswalks shall have distinctive markings, in accordance with the regulations of the State Traffic Commission, to denote use of such crosswalks by school children; and may maintain suitable signs located at intervals along highways ,particularly where there are no sidewalks, directing pedestrians to walk facing vehicular traffic.
(b) At any intersection where special pedestrian-control signals bearing the words “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” are placed, pedestrians may cross the highway only as indicated by the signal. At any intersection where traffic is controlled by other traffic control signals or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the highway against a red or “Stop” signal and shall not cross at any place not a marked or unmarked crosswalk. A pedestrian started or starting across the highway on a “Walk” signal or on any such crosswalk on a green or “Go” signal shall have the right of way over all vehicles, including those making turns, until such pedestrian has reached the opposite curb or safety zone.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-300c, at any crosswalk marked as provided in subsection (a) of section 14-300 or any unmarked crosswalk, provided such crosswalks are not controlled by police officers or traffic control signals, each operator of a vehicle shall grant the right-of-way, and slow or stop such vehicle if necessary to so grant the right-of-way, to any pedestrian crossing the roadway within such crosswalk, provided such pedestrian steps to the curb at the entrance to a crosswalk or is within that half of the roadway upon which such operator of a vehicle is traveling or such pedestrian steps to the curb at the entrance to a crosswalk or is crossing the roadway within such crosswalk from that half of the roadway upon which such operator is not traveling. No operator of a vehicle approaching from the rear shall overtake and pass any vehicle the operator of which has stopped at any crosswalk marked as provided in subsection (a) of this section or any unmarked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway. The operator of any vehicle crossing a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to each pedestrian and all other traffic upon such sidewalk. A violation of this subsection shall be an infraction. (d) In any civil action arising under subsection (c) of this section or sections 14-300b to 14-300d, inclusive, the doctrine of negligence per se shall not apply.
Sec. 14-300a. Pedestrian street markings near housing projects for elderly persons.
The State Traffic Commission and each municipal traffic authority shall, on highways under their respective jurisdictions and subject to the provisions of section 14-298,provide special pedestrian street or sidewalk markings at intersections and streets in proximity to projects designated for or containing a high proportion of elderly persons.
Sec. 14-300b. Pedestrian use of crosswalks and roadways. (a) Each pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a crosswalk marked as provided in subsection (a) of section 14-300 or any unmarked crosswalk or at a location controlled by police officers shall yield the right of way to each vehicle upon such roadway. Each pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to each vehicle upon such roadway.
(b) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by a pedestrian-control signal or police officer. When authorized by a pedestrian-control signal or police officer to cross an intersection diagonally each pedestrian shall cross only in accordance with such signals or as directed by such police officer. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway between adjacent intersections at which traffic or pedestrian-control signals are in operation except within a marked crosswalk.
(c) Each pedestrian crossing a roadway within a crosswalk shall travel whenever practicable upon the right half of such crosswalk.
(d) A violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 14-300c. Pedestrian use of roads and sidewalks. Required to yield to emergency vehicle. (a) No pedestrian shall walk along and upon a roadway where a sidewalk adjacent to such roadway is provided and the use thereof is practicable. Where a sidewalk is not provided adjacent to a roadway each pedestrian walking along and upon such roadway shall walk only on the shoulder thereof and as far as practicable from the edge of such roadway. Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder adjacent to a walkway is provided each pedestrian walking along and upon such roadway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of such roadway and if such roadway carries motor vehicle traffic traveling in opposite directions each pedestrian walking along and upon such roadway shall walk only upon the left side of such roadway.
(b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb, sidewalk, crosswalk or any other place of safety adjacent to or upon a roadway and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close to such pedestrian as to constitute an immediate hazard to such pedestrian. No pedestrian who is under the influence of alcohol or any drug to a degree which renders himself a hazard shall walk or stand upon any part of a roadway.
(c) Each pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized emergency vehicle, as defined by section 14-1, approaching such pedestrian and emitting any audible signal or displaying or making any visual signal reasonably indicating that such vehicle is being operated in an emergency situation. Noting in this subsection shall be construed with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway or from the duty to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.
(d) Except as provided by sections 14-299, 14-300, and 14-300b to 14-300e, inclusive, each pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to each vehicle upon such roadway.
(e) A violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 14-300d. Operator of a vehicle required to exercise due care to avoid pedestrian. Notwithstanding any provisions of the general statutes or any regulations issued thereunder, sections 14-299, 14-300, 14-300b to 14-300e, inclusive, or any local ordinance to the contrary, each operator of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or person propelling a human powered vehicle and shall give a reasonable warning by sounding a horn or other lawful and noise emitting device to avoid a collision. A violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 14-300e. Application of pedestrian rights to solicitation of rides in a motor vehicle and walking on limited access highways. Nothing contained in sections 14-299, 14-300 or 14-300b to 14-300d, inclusive, shall be construed to limit the provisions of section 53-181 or to permit any pedestrian to walk upon or along any highway where pedestrians are prohibited by any provision of the general statutes or any regulations issued thereunder.
Sec. 14-300f. Vehicles to stop for school crossing guard. Penalties. (a) The operator of any motor vehicle shall immediately bring his vehicle to a stop not less than ten feet from a location having a school crossing guard on any highway or private road when such school crossing guard specifically directs him to do so. Any motor vehicle so stopped for a school crossing guard shall not proceed until there is specific direction from the school crossing guard.
(b) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars for the first offense and, for each subsequent offense, not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both.

Search State Statutes

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State Bike Map

http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=1380&q=259662

League State Advocacy center

http://capwiz.com/lab/state/main/?state=CT&view=myofficials

Driver's manual

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/20/29/ctdriver.pdf

state bicycle & pedestrian coordinator

Web: www.ct.gov/dot
David Balzer
Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator
Department of Transportation
2800 Berlin Turnpike
P.O. Box 317546
Newington CT 06131-7546
860-594-2141; Fax 860-594-3028
E-mail: david.balzer@po.state.ct.us