[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of West
Haven 8-28-2017. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 219.
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. 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.
The provisions of this Traffic Code shall apply to bicycles, except
those provisions which, by their nature, are not applicable.
C.
A violation of any traffic law 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.
D.
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.
A person operating a bicycle or motorcycle shall not ride other than
upon or astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, nor
carry any other person upon such bicycle or motorcycle other than
upon a firmly attached and regular seat thereon, nor shall any person
ride upon a bicycle or motorcycle other than upon such a firmly attached
and regular seat.
B.
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the
number for which it is designed and equipped.
D.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or
article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon
the handlebars.
A.
No person riding upon any motorcycle, bicycle, coaster, roller skates,
sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle
upon a roadway.
B.
No operator shall knowingly permit any person riding upon any motorcycle,
bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle to attach the
same or himself to any vehicle while it is moving upon a roadway.
This section does not apply to the towing of a disabled vehicle nor
to the towing of a trailer designed for this purpose.
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.
A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use
upon a bicycle any siren or whistle.
Every bicycle shall be equipped with an adequate brake when
used on a street or highway.
A.
Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near
to the right side of the roadway as practicable, obeying all traffic
rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due care when passing
a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
B.
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.
C.
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 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 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.
A.
Except as provided in Subsection B below, it shall be legal to operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk when sidewalks are available and not congested with pedestrian traffic. If the sidewalk is congested with pedestrian traffic, any bicycle operator using the sidewalk shall walk the bicycle.
B.
No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a business district
or upon or along which signs have been erected by authority of the
Chief of Police prohibiting such bicycle riding.
C.
A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across
a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right of way
to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking
and passing such pedestrian. This audible signal may be given by the
voice or by a bell or other warning device capable of giving an audible
signal and shall be given at such a distance and in such a manner
as not to startle a person or persons being overtaken and passed.
D.
A person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, before overtaking and
passing a blind person carrying a white cane or guided by a dog, shall
dismount and overtake or pass on foot, if necessary for safety.
E.
A person shall not operate a bicycle from a sidewalk so as to suddenly
leave a curb or other place of safety and move into the path of a
vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
F.
No person shall operate a bicycle on a sidewalk at a speed greater
than an ordinary walk when approaching or entering a crosswalk or
approaching or crossing a driveway if a vehicle is approaching the
crosswalk or driveway. This subsection does not require reduced speeds
for bicycles when other vehicles are not present.
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 minor under the age of 18 years 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. There shall be a storage charge of $25 per day for each impounded
bicycle or motorized bicycle. The impounded bicycle or motorized bicycle
shall not be released until said storage charge is paid. If the bicycle
or motorized bicycle is not claimed within 30 days of it being impounded,
the bicycle or motorized bicycle shall be considered as abandoned
and shall be deemed to be the property of the City of West Haven.
Whoever violates any provision of this chapter shall be charged
an administrative penalty of $100.
