Bill SB 103 now in Transportation Committee: AN ACT REQUIRING BICYCLISTS TO RIDE SINGLE FILE ON A PUBLIC ROAD. We need a united action to prevent this bill from progressing to the next step. Ask senator Witkos (nicely) to retract the bill before the Friday deadline by calling 1-800-842-1421 and his legislative aid, Patty Askham at 860-240-0436. You can also contact state senator Witkos electronically here.
Senator Witkos introduced the bill and represents the eigth district, which includes Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury, and Torrington. Simsbury, oddly, was Connecticut's first Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community.
Reason why - The current statute already addresses the issue. The current law states "Persons riding two abreast, as provided in this subsection, shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane." I agree with Sen. Wilkos that is is a problem if somebody is trying to pass side-by-side riders and also give 3 feet. But the current law already addresses this -if we are not going the speed limit, then we are impeding traffic if riding 2 abreast (with the exception of some unusual circumstances), so we should courteously move to single file to allow the faster vehicle to pass. They don't need a new bill, that causes unnecessary restrictions for responsible cyclists. They could address the sponsor's issue by enforcing the current statute.
Let's get this squashed! Spread the word to your cycling friends. Tweet. Facebook. Smoke signals.
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