Westport CT Police Tell Bicyclists to Obey Rules of the Road

[Tony T]

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019
Police Tell Bicyclists to Obey Rules of the Road
Bicyclists who think they’re exempt from the rules of the road are now on the radar of Westport Police Department enforcement efforts, police announced today.

Whizzing through stop signs and red lights, failure to yield and riding two abreast are all on the target list, according to the announcement.

“As warm summer weather continues to draw us all outdoors, the Westport Police Department has begun to receive a number of complaints related to cyclists using town roads recklessly with little or no regard to posted traffic control signage and other rules of the road,” said Lt. Anthony Prezioso.

“Many of these complaints have focused on the areas surrounding Compo Beach and have cited weekends as the prime time for these offenses,” he added.

He said officers have already have begun targeting offenders for violations.

“If you do not obey stop signs and traffic lights, if you do not keep to the right, if you fail to yield, etc. you can expect to be stopped by our officers and can potentially be cited for these violations,” Prezioso said.

The announcement included the National Safety Council (NSC) tips for traffic safety while cycling. First on the list is that bicyclists must follow the same rules as motorists.

Second is that they should ride single file in the direction of traffic.

Remain alert, keep your head up and look around; watch for opening car doors and other hazards,” the NSC said. “Use hand signals when turning and use extra care at intersections.”

Before a bicyclist enters traffic, he or she should stop, look left and right, left again “and over your shoulder.”

Cyclists are also warned, “Never hitch onto cars.”

“The goal of this campaign is not to discourage cyclists from enjoying the scenic beauty that the town of Westport offers to its residents and visitors,” Prezioso said.

“It is instead to educate and ensure the safety of cyclists, motorists and pedestrians alike while all must share our roads.”

https://westportnow.com/index.php?/v...s_of_the_road/

[makoti]

I was fine with all of it until "Cyclists are also warned, “Never hitch onto cars.” What a bunch of killjoys.

[Seramount]

this would be better as a PSA done by Capt. Obvious.

[Ralph]

Where I live you can ride two abreast legally....if you are not holding up traffic....as on a 4 lane street.

Otherwise.....wish all law enforcement agencies enforced traffic laws equally against all road users. Good for them.

[pjm]

I could drive around my area here for twenty minutes and spot at least two dozen people on their phones while they drive and not a single cyclist.

[Mr. Pink]

Cyclists rolling through stop signs is what passes for serious crime in Westport.

That was written by a cop making nearly 200 grand a year from the back of Dunkin Donuts.

[Tony T]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

Cyclists rolling through stop signs is what passes for serious crime in Westport.

That was written by a cop making nearly 200 grand a year from the back of Dunkin Donuts.

Starbucks.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

Cyclists rolling through stop signs is what passes for serious crime in Westport.

That was written by a cop making nearly 200 grand a year from the back of Dunkin Donuts.

The average Police Lieutenant salary in Connecticut is $99,704 as of July 30, 2019, but the range typically falls between $85,845 and $104,395

But I get it..do the same for distracted drivers/cellies..slap a couple of $1000 fines out there, advertise it and 'maybe' cell phone use 'may' go down..a little.

[Mr. Pink]

That's all of Ct. Averaged out. Fairfield county is very rich, and pays it's police forces very well. Very well. And salary is just one component. Benefits are awesome, and retirement is much earlier than for most Americans. If one is to accurately determine the cost of a cop to most towns, the honest way to do it is state how much he or she makes their entire life. Some make more retired than while working. COLA pensions are awesome.

All that for working in a very low crime place. Traffic tickets and keeping domestic disputes discreet.

[David Tollefson]

Washington law allows 2 abreast riding, not that the motorists yelling out car windows know anything about it. No idea what other's local laws are, though.

[pjbaz]

Originally Posted by Ralph

Where I live you can ride two abreast legally....if you are not holding up traffic....as on a 4 lane street.

Otherwise.....wish all law enforcement agencies enforced traffic laws equally against all road users. Good for them.

In CT it is legal to ride two up ...

[Peter P.]

Originally Posted by pjbaz

In CT it is legal to ride two up ...

The key phrase in the law below is, "...Persons riding two abreast...shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, and, on a laned roadway, shall ride in a single lane.

The phrase "shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic" means, if cars can't readily pass you, you're impeding traffic, and the law will be on the police officer's and the driver's side.

CT General Statute 14-286b says:

"(b) ...Persons riding two abreast, as provided in this subsection, shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic...

[mdeth1313]

Westport - nothing better to do (except keep the Norwalk riff-raff out).

[bigbill]

In Kingman, AZ is ok to ride two abreast but it's unusual to see two cyclists at once. I spent this weekend in Fountain Hills which is south of Scottsdale doing some road riding. Lots of riders but I was the outcast that stopped at red lights and at least did a fraction of a second in a track stand before rolling at a stop sign. We do ourselves no favors...

When I lived in VA Beach, I'd do the Saturday morning ride from Conte's. One morning a representative from an HOA wanted us to limit our speed to 15mph through their neighborhood. An attorney in our group asked, "how fast will the cars be going?" If the neighborhood has a speed limit of 25, then ticket everyone who exceeds it.

[David Tollefson]

Originally Posted by bigbill

Lots of riders but I was the outcast that stopped at red lights and at least did a fraction of a second in a track stand before rolling at a stop sign.

In Washington (and likely in other states as well), two-wheeled vehicles are required to do a foot-down to define "stopped". Most of the time it's not an issue. Don't try that track stand on Mercer Island though -- you'll get ticketed for failure to stop.