[Adopted 4-9-2018 by Ord.
No. 18-04]
A.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a street shall be granted all
of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable
to the driver of a vehicle pursuant to Title 14 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, except those provisions, which by their nature,
are not applicable. Every person riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk
shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of
the duties applicable to a pedestrian.
B.
A violation of any provision of Chapter 203, Article IV, by an operator of a bicycle shall be ticketed using the same procedure as is used for motor vehicle infractions, except that any violation committed while operating a bicycle shall not affect the status of the violator's motor vehicle operator's license. When a citation is issued to a bicycle operator, the fact that the violation involves a bicycle shall be clearly indicated on the citation.
C.
Whenever there is a violation of traffic law by a bicycle operator
or a violation by a motorist that endangers a bicycle operator, the
court may permit demonstration of successful completion of a court-approved
cycling knowledge course or test in lieu of or in addition to a fine
or other penalty.
A.
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two
abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set
aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
B.
Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near
to the right side of the roadway as practicable, and with the flow
of traffic, obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising
due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the
same direction.
C.
This section does not require a person operating a bicycle to ride
at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do
so. Conditions that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway
include when necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or
moving vehicles, surface hazards, or if it is otherwise unsafe or
impracticable to do so, including if the lane is too narrow for the
bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within
the lane.
D.
When a bicycle is operated on the roadway, the operator shall give
hand signals to other vehicle operators in the vicinity before turning
or changing lanes. Such signals shall conform with the motor vehicle
laws of Connecticut. The signal shall be made not less than one time
but is not required to be continuous. A bicycle operator is not required
to make a signal if the bicycle is in a designated turn lane, and
a signal shall not be given when the operator's hands are needed for
the safe operation of the bicycle.
No person shall operate a bicycle:
A.
Without due regard for the safety and rights of pedestrians and drivers
and occupants of all other vehicles, and so as to endanger the life,
limb or property of any person while in the lawful use of the streets
or sidewalks or any other public or private property.
B.
Without exercising reasonable and ordinary control over such bicycle.
C.
By trick riding or in a weaving or zigzag course, unless such irregular
course is necessary for safe operation in compliance with the law.
A.
Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official
traffic signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles,
unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
B.
Whenever authorized signs are erected that no right or left turns
or U-turns are permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey
the direction of any such sign, except where such person dismounts
from the bicycle to make any such turn, in which event such person
shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.
The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or
building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending
across any alley or driveway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians
approaching on such sidewalk area and upon entering the street shall
yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said street.
Whenever any person operates a bicycle or motorized bicycle
in violation of any section of this Code, the bicycle may be seized
by any member of the Police Department and impounded. A bicycle or
motorized bicycle so impounded shall be surrendered to the owner,
or if the owner is a minor, to the parents or guardians of such minor.
A full explanation of the reason for the impounding shall be made
to the owner, parent or guardian. A complete record of each such impounding
shall be kept in the office of the Chief of Police.