[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Mansfield 3-27-2006,
effective 4-25-2006. Amendments noted where applicable.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Ordinance
Regulating Bikeways” or the “Bikeways Ordinance.”
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the provisions of Section 7-148
of the Connecticut General Statutes.
The Town Council of the Town of Mansfield finds that the improper usage
of Town bikeways can create hazards that are detrimental to the general welfare,
health and safety of the people of Mansfield. Therefore, pursuant to the various
police, health and public safety powers granted to municipalities under C.G.S.
§ 7-148, the Town of Mansfield seeks to protect, preserve and promote
the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of its people by regulating
the usage of Town bikeways.
For the purpose of this chapter, the words and phrases used herein shall
have the following meanings, unless otherwise clearly indicated by the context:
Hard-surfaced pathways created for bicycles and pedestrians that
are separated from roadways by curbing, grading, plantings, planting strips
or other means.
Bikeways that are designated for public (not private) use and are
owned and maintained by the State of Connecticut or the Town of Mansfield.
Public bikeways owned by, constructed by or maintained by the Town
of Mansfield.
The Town of Mansfield shall supervise and control the maintenance of
Town bikeways.
No person shall deposit any snow or ice onto any portion of any Town
bikeway within the Town of Mansfield.
Except for Town maintenance vehicles and other authorized vehicles,
no person shall park any motorized vehicle or place any other obstruction
on any Town bikeway within the Town of Mansfield.
A.
Every person using a Town bikeway shall travel as near to the
right side of the path as is safe, except when turning or while overtaking
and passing another user proceeding in the same direction.
B.
Every user shall exercise due care and caution to avoid colliding
with any other bikeway user traveling by any mode. Every user shall travel
in a consistent and predictable manner not more than two abreast.
C.
No group of bikeway users, including their animal(s), shall span
more than half the bikeway, measured from the right side, so as to impede
the normal and reasonable movement of other users.
D.
Any person operating any permitted vehicle or device, including
but not limited to a bicycle, shall give an audible warning before passing
another person, pedestrian, bicyclist, or user of any mode. Said warning may
be produced by voice, bell, whistle or horn and must be clearly audible. The
audible warning must be produced before executing the passing maneuver. The
passer is responsible for safely passing other users.
E.
Any bikeway user overtaking another user proceeding in the same
direction shall pass to the left of such overtaken user at a safe distance
and shall not again move to the right until safely clear of the overtaken
user.
F.
Users entering or crossing the bikeway at uncontrolled points
shall yield to traffic on the bikeway.
G.
No person shall travel on any bikeway at a speed greater than
is reasonable and prudent under the conditions, including the actual and potential
hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be controlled as may be
necessary to avoid colliding with others who are using reasonable care.
H.
All bikeway users using a bikeway from one-half hour after sunset
to one-half hour before sunrise shall be equipped with or carry lights. Bicyclists
shall have a headlight visible from 500 feet to the front and a red or amber
light visible from 500 feet to the rear. Other bikeway users should have white
lights visible from 250 feet.
I.
Every person traveling on a Town bikeway shall obey the instructions
of any official traffic control sign or device applicable thereto placed in
accordance with applicable laws or regulations unless otherwise directed by
a police officer.
J.
Owners walking a pet or animal companion along a Town bikeway
shall pick up and properly dispose of any droppings left on the bikeway by
their pet/animal companion.
Town bikeways may be utilized by pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, skateboarders,
roller skaters and in-line skaters.
Except for authorized repair vehicles and motorized/powered wheel chairs
or other similar equipment used by a person with a disability, no motorized
vehicles are permitted on Town bikeways. This prohibition includes, but is
not limited to: mini-bikes, motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, go karts,
snowmobiles and all ATVs.
Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed
to have committed an infraction and may be issued a citation. Said citation
shall inform the person named therein of the allegations against him or her,
the amount of the fine due, and the date on which payment of the fine is due,
which shall be no later than 10 days after the date of the citation. Said
citation shall be hand delivered or mailed by certified mail, return receipt
requested, addressed to the person named therein at his or her last known
address. Citations shall be punishable with a fine of $90 for each violation.
Each separate day that a violation exists after the issuance of a citation
shall be subject to a separate additional fine without the issuance of a separate
citation.
Any person fined pursuant to this chapter may appeal such fine pursuant
to the provisions of the Town of Mansfield Hearing Procedure for Citations
Ordinance.[1]
Whenever used, the singular number shall include the plural, the plural
the singular, and the use of either gender shall include both genders.
