Bicyclists have rights under Connecticut laws

Bicycling on city streets is necessary for some people, however, it isn’t always a safe prospect. Many drivers assume that they have full rights to the road without the cyclists having any. Those motorists might do things that place the people on bicycles in a dangerous position. The fact is that Connecticut law provides equal road use rights to bicyclists and motorists.

One thing that cyclists and drivers have to remember is that they all have to follow applicable laws. When anyone violates these, bicyclists may face a crash that leads to injuries or death.

General rights of bicyclists

Connecticut laws state that vehicles must give at least three feet of space between their cars and bikes if they are passing cyclists. If this isn’t possible due to oncoming traffic, a driver must remain at a safe distance behind a bicycle until they can safely pass while remaining compliant with this law.

Bicyclists should ride close to the right side of the road, but they should avoid hugging the curb. If you ride right on the curb, your bike’s tire might catch it and cause you to lose balance. This could throw you right into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Motorists must avoid overtaking a bicycle and then cutting the cyclist off to make a right turn. Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-242 covers this, as well as requiring the driver to use their vehicle’s turn signal to let cyclists know their intention.

Cyclist responsibilities

Cyclists have responsibilities that they must uphold while they are on the roads. They must use appropriate hand signals to alert drivers to their intention to turn. While there is no requirement for adults to wear helmets, state law does require that children wear one if they are on a bicycle. Wearing brightly colored clothing, preferably with reflective components, can help them to remain safer since other people can see them more easily.

When accidents occur

Accidents between cars and bikes can cause significant injuries to the cyclist. Sometimes, they need long-term care and might not be able to return to work right away. It can lead to costly medical care and other expenses. The victim can choose to seek compensation from the motorist who struck them. This can help them to cover the costs of the accident.