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NORWALK, Conn. – There are a bevy of laws that pertain to bicycling in Connecticut, but two Norwalk enthusiasts question whether bicyclists and motorists are aware of them.
"It's nuts out there. Everywhere you go, people are combative," said Alex Stanek of Milford, a "bicycle industry lifer" who owns Smart Cycles on Strawberry Hill Avenue in Norwalk. "It's on both sides, too. ... It's not a driver/cyclist problem, it's a people problem. Everyone's distracted, everybody's impatient and no one wants to play by any type of rule."
"I don't think people know the laws," said Ed Torres, a cyclist who recently had a run-in with two women and thinks things are "getting worse."
Both Torres and Stanek have had cars brush by much too closely, they said, in spite of state law 14-232, which mandates "safe passing distance not less than three feet when the driver of a vehicle overtakes and passes a bicyclist."
Both have gotten the police involved. Stanek said he was "almost killed" the summer before last by teenagers who passed within inches of his handlebars while he was riding on Calf Pasture Beach Road.
Torres was punched in the face June 3 after yelling at a driver who passed him too closely on Marvin Street, near Calf Pasture Beach Road, Norwalk Lt. Praveen John said. The driver, Frank Guthman, 61, of 35 Riverview Drive, slammed on his brakes, causing Torres to fall off his bicycle.
The pair then got into an argument in front of Torres' wife and 9-year-old son. Guthman was arrested and charged with breach of peace second degree, a misdemeanor. Guthman pleaded nolo contendre and paid a $150 fine, according to the state of Connecticut Judicial Branch website.
The main laws that pertain to bicyclists also pertain to motorists because bicycles are considered vehicles. This means bicycles cannot go through red lights, turn right on red at prohibited intersections or travel at fast speeds on slow roads.
Among the laws that pertain specifically to bicyclists are that "persons shall not ride more than two abreast, according to 14-28b, and carrying large packages is restricted because one hand must remain on the handlebars," 14-28c.
Also, at night, bicyclists must use a front light and rear reflector, according to 14-288, and any bicyclist under 16 must wear a helmet, 14-286d.
"It's important to make people realize that the cyclists at times are just as big an idiot," Stanek said. "It's not a one-way street. The difference is that when it comes to the car versus bicycle, the cyclist is always going to get the short end of the stick."
Comments (7)
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I agree that cyclists should follow the rules, just like everyone else. People who feel that the law doesn't apply to them are wrong, whether they are in cars or on bicycles. I wholeheartedly agree that police ought to ticket more traffic violators, whether a cyclist that runs a red light or a car that passes closer than 3 feet to one, or either if moving along while holding a phone.
At the same time the tax thought is invalid. I paid thousands of dollars a year in taxes in Norwalk for many years. Based on my understanding of the city's budget breakdown much/most of my tax money went to the education system. I didn't have a child for all those years. Should I have not paid those taxes? After all I didn't benefit from the education system directly. None of my family ever attended a Norwalk school (we grew up in a neighboring town).
I also don't like paying for cigarette smokers' health bills, motorcyclists' injuries, covering costs businesses incur due to fraud, but it's part of the system here in the US. If I really disagreed with things that strongly I'd live in a different country. The beauty of the US is that we can try and change things ourselves.
So Ken, you should ask our representative to propose issuing registration for cyclists and maybe installing a property tax (like cars) on them. If such legislation passes I'll gladly pay whatever fees or taxes I need to pay for whatever vehicles I own.
I think a letter asking police to hold traffic violators more responsible would help too - I personally gave up on that one a long time ago. In fact I did something that I mentioned above as an option - I moved (to a different town, still within CT). I visit Norwalk occasionally, drive on the roads there, but I prefer to pay taxes to a different municipality.
Fairfield County has some of the worst drivers I've ever seen, both in cars and on bicycles. I nearly flattened a cyclist the other day; would have been nice if he had STOPPED at the stop sign and not run it. I see that happen far too often and there are the pairs, the ones that insist on riding side by side, instead of single file, as they're supposed to. Many ride without helmets, some are busy talking on hand-held cellphones (no, I'm not kidding).
Bicyclists have to adhere to the same rule as cars: they can get tickets the same as a driver of a car. Of course, if they run a red light and get hit by a car, they probably won't survive. They should think about that.
As for the car drivers, it seems the more expensive the vehicle, the more rude they are (especially Audi drivers).
Just read below….and don’t assume cyclist don’t own cars. We do…and we pay taxes too. we just choose to save the environment, be green and lean.
From: Department of Transportation website
http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=2314&q=438852
Share the Road CT
Share the Road: Motorists
Share the Road Tips for Drivers
Drive Cautiously:
- Reduce speed when encountering cyclists
- Don't tailgate, especially in bad weather
- Recognize hazards cyclists may face and give them space
Yield to Cyclists:
- Bicycles are considered vehicles
- Cyclists should be given the appropriate right of way
- Allow extra time for cyclists to traverse intersections
Be Considerate:
- Scan for cyclists in traffic and at intersections
- Do not blast your horn in close proximity to cyclists
- Look for cyclists when opening doors
Pass with Care:
- When passing, leave four feet between you and a cyclist
- Wait for safe road and traffic conditions before you pass
- Check over your shoulder before moving back
Watch for Children:
- Children on bicycles are often unpredictable
- Expect the unexpected and slow down
- Don't expect children to know traffic laws
- Because of their size children can be harder to see
I agree with Tim to a large degree. But besides that jus how can a motorist give a bicycle 3 feet of clearance on most of our roads without going into the oncoming traffic? Especially if they are riding two abreast. Everyone needs to be considerate but it bears remembering just why the roads exist, theyre built & maintained for motor vehicles. Unless we are going to start registering & taxing bicycles this cyclist movement needs to be dealt with realistically. Its unfair to burden the taxpayers with limited use of the roads we pay for to cater to people who dont seem to be able to ride safely the way we all have since childhood. The guy in the pic up top is a great example, just how are cars suposed to negotiate the roadway with him straddling the lanes? I guess one car on the sidewalk & one straddling the middle & left lanes? What has hapenned to common sense? Bicycles simply cannot keep up with traffic & NEED to be as far right as possible.
I find the cyclists to be the biggest violators of the state laws. Its time the police state ticking these cyclists who make the road unsafe for all.
I work as a letter carrier in Norwalk and see violations by both motorists (especially those in German and high-end cars) and cyclists. Both of them seem to think they own the road and the rest of us owe them deference.
But the pedestrians are the worse, almost challenging both to stop suddenly do they don't run over the walkers.
Only people over the age of about 55 seem to have any sense or idea of common courtesy.