On Thursday Greenwich Police Department explained that while they routinely receive complaints about traffic and roadway use, there has been a recent increase in complaints about bicyclists sharing the roadway with vehicles, particularly on the weekend involving large groups of bike riders on the back roads in northern Greenwich.
As a reminder, bicycles must follow the motor vehicle laws, same as a motor vehicle.
Connecticut General Statute 14-286b, dictates among other points, that:
• Bicycles shall stay as near to the right side of the roadway as possible.
• Persons riding Bicycles shall not ride more than two abreast in the roadway.
• When riding two abreast, the riders shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
As with cars, all stop signs and red lights must be obeyed by bicyclists.
Motor vehicle operators must utilize care when passing bicyclists operating legally on the roadways, as stated in Connecticut General Statute 14-232.
In Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 14-232 requires cars to leave a distance of three feet of around cyclists when overtaking them.
Another relevant statute for motor vehicles is 14-242(f), which dictates (among other things) that:
• A person operating a vehicle who overtakes and passes a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall
not make a right turn at any intersection or into any private road or driveway, unless the turn can be made with reasonable safety and will not impede the travel of the person riding the bicycle.
The Greenwich Police Department will be conducting extra patrols on the roads for the remainder of the riding season to ensure the safety of both bicyclists and drivers; we encourage the safe shared use of Greenwich’s
roadways.
