New Britain Herald: New bike safety laws take effect

Thanks to the New Britain Herald for helping to get the word out on CT's  important new bike laws.  Read the full story here:  http://bit.ly/1M1dh1K

Bicyclists have more freedom to determine how to safely ride on Connecticut roads, and motorists have more room to pass them as a result of changes to Connecticut’s laws for cyclists, which took effect July 1.

Public Act 15-41 was passed in May with broad bipartisan support and was signed June 1 by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

The new law eliminates the rule requiring cyclists to always ride as far to the right edge of the road as possible, but also gives motorists permission to cross double-yellow lines when passing slower-moving cyclists.

The law allows cyclists to determine how close to the curb to ride in certain circumstances, rather than always as close as possible. Bike Walk Connecticut specifically advocated for the new language, which is modeled on best practice in Colorado and endorsed by the League of American Bicyclists.

The new law allows for the designation of two-way bicycle lanes, buffered bike lanes and cycle tracks.

Cyclists are not required to ride as close to the right side of the road as possible in the following instances:

∎ Overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

∎ Preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;

∎ Avoiding 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;

∎ 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 the lane;

∎ Riding on a roadway designated for one-way traffic, when the bicyclist may ride as near to the left hand curb as is judged safe;

∎ Riding in designated bicycle lanes.

For more information visit bikewalkct.org.