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For Immediate Release  July 1, 2015 (Hartford, CT) -- Important changes to Connecticut's laws for cyclists take effect July 1, 2015. The Bicycle Safety bill, Senate Bill 502 and now Public Act 15-41, was passed in May with broad bipartisan support. The Governor signed the bill into law on June 1.
The new law eliminates the confusing--and often unsafe--rule requiring cyclists to ride as far to the right as practicable. Instead, the law now requires cyclists to ride as close to the right side of the road as is safe, as judged by the cyclist. Bike Walk Connecticut specifically advocated for that language, which is modeled on a best practice from Colorado as identified by the League of American Bicyclists. As of July 1, cyclists don't have to ride as close to the right side of the road when:
The new law also allows two-way bicycle lanes, buffered bike lanes, and cycle tracks to be designed in Connecticut and allows drivers to cross the double yellow line to pass slower-moving cyclists and other road users when it's safe to do so. Watch for more information from Bike Walk CT this summer about Sharing the Road. For more information, contact Bike Walk CT Exec. Dir. Kelly Kennedy at 860.578.5925. Susan Tuz, reporter for the Danbury-based News-Times, asks: Can bikes and cars coexist? Fatal accidents demonstrate need for increased awareness, separate lanes By Susan Tuz, Sun. June 28, 2015 The negligent homicide charge filed last week against a New Milford man in the 2014 death of a bicyclist highlighted the growing potential for collisions between motor vehicles and increasingly numerous two-wheelers. Although bicycle commuting in Greater Danbury is still uncommon, recreational use is on the rise, and a 2014 state law requires that the needs of cyclists — including, for example, the provision of designated bike lanes — be taken into account in planning for new transportation projects. Advocates for motorists and cyclists agree that both groups must better learn the rules of the road in order to avoid accidents like the one that killed Dwight Hipp, 57, while he was riding one morning last August on Route 109 — the fourth such fatality in the region since 2010. John Kimberley, 23, is scheduled to appear in court Monday in Bantam to face charges that could put him in jail up to six months. From 2008 to 2012, 11 other cyclists were left incapacitated after collisions with motor vehicles, according to a study for the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials. Kelly Kennedy, executive director of Bike Walk CT, said the state “is approaching a tipping point.” “A Share the Road campaign is something Connecticut needs to work on,” Kennedy said. “Courtesy and awareness on the roadway goes both ways. Cyclists need to be predictable, and drivers have to be aware of cyclists.” While both groups need to be aware of each other, the state recognizes that a person on a bicycle is at a definite disadvantage in a standoff with a car or truck. A recent Vulnerable Road User law prohibits motorists from impeding cyclists when making a right turn, gives cyclists the right of way in intersections and requires drivers to maintain three feet of clearance when passing a bike. “Drivers have to get used to cyclists being on the roads,” said Tom O’Brien, president of the New Milford River Trails Association. “We all need to drive slower when in a car or truck and use more caution when there are pedestrians or cyclists on the road.” But cyclists, too, have their responsibilities. In Connecticut, the same traffic laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists: Stop signs and traffic lights must be obeyed, hand signals must be used to indicate stops and turns, and cyclists generally must ride as close as possible to the right side of the roadway [*but see important note below], traveling in the same direction as motorists. Read the full story here * Bike Walk CT Note: The 2015 Bike Safety Bill (Public Act 2015-41, effective July 1, 2015) makes important changes to the old rule to ride "as far to the right as is practicable."
The new rule, effective July 1, 2015, is that "Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride as close to the right side of the roadway as is safe, as judged by the bicyclist." Under the new law, there are six situations when bicyclists do not have to ride to the right of the road: (1) When overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction; (2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; (3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or lanes that are too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to travel safely side by side within such lanes; (4) When approaching an intersection where right turns are permitted and there is a dedicated right turn lane, in which case a bicyclist may ride on the left-hand side of such dedicated lane, even if the bicyclist does not intend to turn right; (5) When riding on a roadway designated for one-way traffic, when the bicyclist may ride as near to the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as judged safe by the bicyclist; or (6) When riding on parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, including, but not limited to, counter-flow bicycle lanes, left-handed cycle tracks on one-way streets and two-way cycle tracks. There are 6 days left in the legislative session, budget negotiations are in full swing, and funding for bike ped initiatives is still undecided.
Take Action! Please tell your legislators you want funding for a first-rate bike and pedestrian transportation system! If we really want Connecticut to be a great place to bike and walk, we need to send that message loud and clear to our legislators. We did a great job getting 153 people to submit remarks supporting the Governor's transportation funding proposal, HB 6840, to the Finance Committee back in April. Now we need to repeat that message to all of our legislators. Background: The Governor's proposal includes $101 million for bike ped funding authorizations for 2016 through 2020, which is the "five year ramp up" phase of the 30 year plan. HB 6840 includes a variety of bonding requests that will allow the state to fund improvements to our active transportation system, including bike lanes, greenways, multiuse paths, and pedestrian networks, along with improvements to bridges, transit, rail and roads. Take Action! Please tell your legislators you want funding for a first-rate bike and pedestrian transportation system!
Subject: Please support funding for a first-rate bike and pedestrian transportation system! As a member of Bike Walk Connecticut, I urge you to support funding proposals for a first-rate bike and pedestrian transportation system that includes a network of bike lanes, greenways, multiuse paths, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Thank you.
Legislature Passes “Bike Bill” SB 502 |
 McCarthy Vahey arrives with fellow riders at Capitol  More of May 19 riders, joined at Capitol by Kelly Kennedy |  May 19 ride organizer Ray Willis and fellow rider Doug Hausladen, both of New Haven, at Capitol |
Whaaat?! Did we really get 153 people to submit testimony to the finance committee in support of funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects?! It sure looks that way! Very well done, advocates--let's keep it up! The Finance Committee voted in favor of the bill, 42-6. Click here for a summary of testimony. Track HB 6840, AN ACT CONCERNING INVESTMENTS IN CONNECTICUT'S TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
Thank you to all these supporters who told the Finance Committee how important it is to fund bike ped projects!
A. Sarah Hreha Alan Blasenstein Albert Nickel Albert Yu Alyssa L. Israel Amanda Amtmanis Anne Q. Indino Anthony Baldwin Barbara Malcolm Barbara Milton Barbara Yeager Ben Martin Beth Emery Bill Baker Bill O'Neill, CT Greenways Council Bill Penn Bob Herron Bob Worobel Brian A. Sheffer Brian Wallace Chris Schweitzer, Director, NHLSCP Chris Squires Christine Schilke Christopher D. Brown Christopher Gaunya Cindi Perugini Cosmo Quercia Craig Tedeschi Cristina Renn-Chillogalli Cynthia Barlow Dan Johnson Daniel Kelman Daniel S. Firestone Daniel W. O'Neill Dave Head Dave Mourad David Macbride David Ringquist David Yarbrough Debbie Livingston Debbie Lundgren, Chair, Bike & Pedestrian Alliance of Clinton Deborah Hoak Deborah Thibodeau Dgmar Noll Diana Moody Diane Robinson Dr. Jaen Andrews Edward Szkoda Emily Nissley Emily Provonsha Ernest Hutton Felicia White Gary Rogers Gary Scarcella Gerald Ledger Gian Morresi Gregg Dancho Hal Tzeutschler Holly Parker Howard Reed J. Kevin Farmer Jacob D. Robinson, Program Manager, Bikeport Co-op Jacques Coulon James Paxton James Scherl Jeffrey King Jennerifer Kertanis, Director, Farmington Valley Health District Jennifer C. Kertanis, Director, Farmington Valley Health District Jerome F Lusa Jerry Silber Jim Adams Jim Nally Jim Platts Joan Skelley Joanne Orme Joe Fox John Gale John Leonard John P. Swift Joseph D. Anastasio Josh Freeman Karen Mooney Kathleen Eldergill Kathleen Hartman Kathleen McGuinness Kathy Herron Katy Steudel Kelly Rago Kristina Kozak Larry Levesque Larry Rubin Laura Baum, President, Bike Walk CT Laurie Brooks Leah Varrell Liam Brennan Liam Fabian Linda Gilchrist, Barn Hill Studio Lisa Maloney Lisa McCabe Lorraine Donovan Lynn Ofori Margo Lynn Hablutzel Mary L Murphy MaryEllen Thibodeau Matt Hough Matt McCaffrey Meg Harvey Megan Bastian Michael Byron Nelson Michael Lemuel Michael R. Swift Michael V. Ignatowicz Mike Slattery Mike Stockman Naomi Senzer Neil Pade, Chair, CT Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board Nicole DeLong Pat Ingellis Patricia Mahoney Paul Kudra Pete Salomone Phil Forzley Phil Guglielmo Phil Hoffman Ralph Farrah Ray Rauth Rebecca Sullivan Rich Allen Rick Thibodeau Rob Rocke Robyn Guimont Ronald Krom Sandra Andstrom Sara J. Frey Scott Gamester Seth Shaw Stephen King Steve Borla Steve DePaoli Stirling Danskin Stuart B. Popper Susan Llodra Susan West Sylvia Ounpuu Thomas Corell Tilly Hatcher Tim Bowman Tim Deschenes-Desmond Tim Nottoli Tom Keegan Tracy Yost Wally Squier William B. Upholt, Hartford City Advisory Commission on the Environment
A. Sarah Hreha Alan Blasenstein Albert Nickel Albert Yu Alyssa L. Israel Amanda Amtmanis Anne Q. Indino Anthony Baldwin Barbara Malcolm Barbara Milton Barbara Yeager Ben Martin Beth Emery Bill Baker Bill O'Neill, CT Greenways Council Bill Penn Bob Herron Bob Worobel Brian A. Sheffer Brian Wallace Chris Schweitzer, Director, NHLSCP Chris Squires Christine Schilke Christopher D. Brown Christopher Gaunya Cindi Perugini Cosmo Quercia Craig Tedeschi Cristina Renn-Chillogalli Cynthia Barlow Dan Johnson Daniel Kelman Daniel S. Firestone Daniel W. O'Neill Dave Head Dave Mourad David Macbride David Ringquist David Yarbrough Debbie Livingston Debbie Lundgren, Chair, Bike & Pedestrian Alliance of Clinton Deborah Hoak Deborah Thibodeau Dgmar Noll Diana Moody Diane Robinson Dr. Jaen Andrews Edward Szkoda Emily Nissley Emily Provonsha Ernest Hutton Felicia White Gary Rogers Gary Scarcella Gerald Ledger Gian Morresi Gregg Dancho Hal Tzeutschler Holly Parker Howard Reed J. Kevin Farmer Jacob D. Robinson, Program Manager, Bikeport Co-op Jacques Coulon James Paxton James Scherl Jeffrey King Jennerifer Kertanis, Director, Farmington Valley Health District Jennifer C. Kertanis, Director, Farmington Valley Health District Jerome F Lusa Jerry Silber Jim Adams Jim Nally Jim Platts Joan Skelley Joanne Orme Joe Fox John Gale John Leonard John P. Swift Joseph D. Anastasio Josh Freeman Karen Mooney Kathleen Eldergill Kathleen Hartman Kathleen McGuinness Kathy Herron Katy Steudel Kelly Rago Kristina Kozak Larry Levesque Larry Rubin Laura Baum, President, Bike Walk CT Laurie Brooks Leah Varrell Liam Brennan Liam Fabian Linda Gilchrist, Barn Hill Studio Lisa Maloney Lisa McCabe Lorraine Donovan Lynn Ofori Margo Lynn Hablutzel Mary L Murphy MaryEllen Thibodeau Matt Hough Matt McCaffrey Meg Harvey Megan Bastian Michael Byron Nelson Michael Lemuel Michael R. Swift Michael V. Ignatowicz Mike Slattery Mike Stockman Naomi Senzer Neil Pade, Chair, CT Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board Nicole DeLong Pat Ingellis Patricia Mahoney Paul Kudra Pete Salomone Phil Forzley Phil Guglielmo Phil Hoffman Ralph Farrah Ray Rauth Rebecca Sullivan Rich Allen Rick Thibodeau Rob Rocke Robyn Guimont Ronald Krom Sandra Andstrom Sara J. Frey Scott Gamester Seth Shaw Stephen King Steve Borla Steve DePaoli Stirling Danskin Stuart B. Popper Susan Llodra Susan West Sylvia Ounpuu Thomas Corell Tilly Hatcher Tim Bowman Tim Deschenes-Desmond Tim Nottoli Tom Keegan Tracy Yost Wally Squier William B. Upholt, Hartford City Advisory Commission on the Environment
Send Your Remarks to the Finance, Revenue Bonding Committee BEFORE 11 am Mon. April 27
Okay bike ped supporters--it's time to act! Everybody who wants Connecticut to be a great place to bike and walk needs to send that message loud and clear to the legislative Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee before 11 am on Monday. That's when the Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Governor's transportation funding proposal, HB 6840.
The Governor's proposal includes $101 million for bike ped funding for 2016 through 2020, which is the "five year ramp up" phase of the 30 year plan. HB 6840 includes a variety of bonding requests that will allow the state to fund improvements to our active transportation system, including bike lanes, greenways, multiuse paths, and pedestrian networks, along with improvements to bridges, transit, rail and roads.
The Governor's proposal includes $101 million for bike ped funding for 2016 through 2020, which is the "five year ramp up" phase of the 30 year plan. HB 6840 includes a variety of bonding requests that will allow the state to fund improvements to our active transportation system, including bike lanes, greenways, multiuse paths, and pedestrian networks, along with improvements to bridges, transit, rail and roads.
Act Fast! Tell the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee you want funding for a first-rate bike and pedestrian transportation system!
Please email your support for bike & pedestrian funding and HB 6840 in Word or PDF format to FINtestimony@cga.ct.gov before 11 am on Monday, April 27. State your support for bike ped funding and HB 6840 in the subject line. Include your name and town in your message.
To: FINtestimony@cga.ct.gov
Subject: Please support HB 6840 and bike and pedestrian funding
Sample message (tailor these points to make the message your own!) Be sure to include your name and town of residence.
To the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee:
As a member of Bike Walk Connecticut, I support the Governor's proposals to develop and fund a first-rate active transportation network of bike lanes, greenways, multiuse paths, and pedestrian infrastructure in Connecticut. Please support HB 6840.
For so many reasons, it's time for Connecticut to become a great place to bike and walk. Please support HB 6840.
Thank you.
To: FINtestimony@cga.ct.gov
Subject: Please support HB 6840 and bike and pedestrian funding
Sample message (tailor these points to make the message your own!) Be sure to include your name and town of residence.
To the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee:
As a member of Bike Walk Connecticut, I support the Governor's proposals to develop and fund a first-rate active transportation network of bike lanes, greenways, multiuse paths, and pedestrian infrastructure in Connecticut. Please support HB 6840.
- Biking and walking are cost-effective ways to reduce traffic congestion, and they're good for the environment, our health, and our economy.
- Bike lanes, sidewalks and greenways cost a fraction of what it costs to build and maintain roads. People want to bike and walk more, but many don't feel safe without bike lanes, greenways and sidewalks. Build them and people will use them.
- Since transportation is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases in Connecticut, consider that biking and walking couldn't be greener ways to get around. Active transportation must be a key piece of our climate action plan.
- Connecticut's car-dependent lifestyle is not the lifestyle that millennials or the creative class have in mind. A well-designed active transportation network will help bring millennials and the creative class to Connecticut and keep them here, strengthening our economy. Additionally, walkable, bikeable places would boost tourism immeasurably, with benefits spreading throughout our economy.
For so many reasons, it's time for Connecticut to become a great place to bike and walk. Please support HB 6840.
Thank you.
Related:
- The Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee public hearing on HB 6840: will take place on Monday, April 27 at 11 am in LOB Room 2E.
- HB 6840, AN ACT CONCERNING INVESTMENTS IN CONNECTICUT'S TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE. Bill language.
- Let's Go CT-Transportation Vision: 5 Year Ramp Up Plan. 30 Year Vision.
Congress is preparing to take action on a new federal transportation bill. Given the shortfall of federal transportation dollars, some members of Congress are already questioning why the federal government provides any funding for bicycling and walking.
Let's make sure Congress doesn't cut funding to help local communities build sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, trails and more. Please ask our US Senators Blumenthal and Murphy to Co-Sponsor S. 705, The Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act.
Background: The Transportation Alternatives Program provides hundreds of millions of dollars each year to local communities to invest in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. It's the only federal program specifically focused on local transportation priorities. S. 705, the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act, written by Sens. Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), makes changes to the program to make it more effective and easier for local governments to use.
For decades, our federal transportation system has focused the bulk of its resources on building roads, leaving many of our communities with few transportation options and rising safety risks for people bicycling and walking. More and more Americans want options for bicycling, walking and transit to live healthier and safer lives. More and more cities and towns are clamoring for more facilities for biking and walking to make their communities more attractive to residents and to improve their economies. S. 705 would help make sure that Congress continues to invest a small share of federal transportation dollars in these types of projects.
And really, what could be greener, zero-emission forms of transportation than biking and walking?
Ask our Senators to cosponsor S. 705, the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act, to ensure that our federal transportation system continues to provide funding for bicycling and walking. Take Action Here.
We have a bill! LCO, the Legislative Commissioners Office, has released language for Transportation Committee Bill SB 502, An Act Concerning Bicycle Safety, also being referred to as "The Bike Bill."
As Far to the Right as Practicable (AFRAP) Provisions
Section 3 of SB 502 contains much of the language that Bike Walk CT proposed to amend the statute on "riding as far to the right as practicable." Section 3:
Safe Passing, NACTO Guidelines
SB 502 is also intended to clarify rules on when motorists may safely pass slower moving cyclists, and to encourage DOT to endorse NACTO design guidelines for bikeways and complete streets.
... And speaking of NACTO
Bike Walk CT is sponsoring the NACTO Bikeway Design Guide Workshop for engineering and planning professionals on Thursday, April 23. Urge your town to send their staff for this fantastic training opportunity! (Details here.) NACTO is the National Association of City Transportation Officials.
As Far to the Right as Practicable (AFRAP) Provisions
Section 3 of SB 502 contains much of the language that Bike Walk CT proposed to amend the statute on "riding as far to the right as practicable." Section 3:
- clarifies that cyclists may "take the lane;"
- eliminates use of the word "practicable," using "as judged safe by the cyclist" instead;
- specifically permits modern bike lanes and cycle tracks, like those defined in the NACTO guidelines.
Safe Passing, NACTO Guidelines
SB 502 is also intended to clarify rules on when motorists may safely pass slower moving cyclists, and to encourage DOT to endorse NACTO design guidelines for bikeways and complete streets.
... And speaking of NACTO
Bike Walk CT is sponsoring the NACTO Bikeway Design Guide Workshop for engineering and planning professionals on Thursday, April 23. Urge your town to send their staff for this fantastic training opportunity! (Details here.) NACTO is the National Association of City Transportation Officials.
