Whether you bike for fun, for exercise or to get to where you’re going in a greener way, you have a big responsibility to keep yourself and others safe. All bicyclists must obey the rules of the road. Make sure you’re visible to drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists. And, most importantly, watch for others out there – because they might not be watching for you.
Be Safe
Follow the rules of the road as though you were a car.
Obey stop signs and traffic signals.
Always ride on the right in the direction of traffic.
Yield to pedestrians in or at crosswalks.
Avoid riding on sidewalks.
Wear a helmet correctly on every ride to help prevent head injury.
Helmets work only if you wear them correctly. Helmet Fitment Guide
Ride as far to the right as is safe. If there’s no bike lane, ride in the travel lane when necessary for your safety.
Ride single file in traffic if it is not safe to ride two abreast.
Scan ahead for hazards such as drains, potholes, debris, or railroad tracks, and give yourself time to go around them safely.
Give yourself extra distance to stop in slick or sandy conditions.
Stay out of the door zone, by riding 3-4 feet away from parked cars.
Wear bright clothing or reflective gear to increase your visibility.
Reflectors aren’t always enough. Use lights at dusk, dawn, at night, or in rain for maximum visibility. Lights increase your visibility in the daytime, too!
Alert others that you’re approaching or passing by using a bell or calling out “passing on your left,” and allow plenty of space.
Signal all turns. Use proper hand signals in advance to tell others where you are going. Hand Signal Guide
Ride in a straight, predictable manner and don’t weave, swerve, or stop suddenly.
Pay attention and avoid distractions like cell phones and music players. You need the ability of your two key senses, seeing and hearing, to detect cars.
Watch for cars backing up in parking lots and driveways. Brake lights may mean that a car is about to back up.
Look left, right and left again. Look for cars in all directions.
Don’t assume vehicles see you. In fact, it’s safer to assume they don’t!
(Adapted from Bike Walk CT’s “Give Respect, Get Respect.
Share the Road, Connecticut” www.bikewalkct.org)
Bicyclists traveling on roadways have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.
Bicyclists must ride on the right in the same direction as traffic and a far to the right as is safe.
Bicyclists cannot ride on the right side of the road into oncoming traffic.
Bicyclists can ride on sidewalks and in crosswalks but when doing so have the same responsibilities and rights as pedestrians. For example, they need to wait for the proper cross walk signal.
Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs and signals, including stopping at red lights and stop signs.
During nighttime and times of low visibility, bicyclists must utilize a front light visible from 500 feet, a rear red reflector or light visible from 600 feet, and reflective material on the bike visible from 600 feet on each side.
Bicyclists must use hand or mechanical signals to communicate intended movements, such as turns or stops, with other travelers, but signals need not be given continuously.
CT State law allows cyclists to ride two abreast but no more than two abreast.
Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way before entering or crossing any main-traveled or through highway if the roadway they are on is posted with a “yield-right-of-way” sign.
Motorists must allow a minimum of 3 feet of separation when passing a bicyclist and when emerging from driveways and alleys.
Bicyclists being passed by a motor vehicle or another bicyclist should remain as far to the right as possible and not increase their speed while being overtaken.
Children under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle on public roads, public paths, and public rights-of-way.
All child passengers under 40 pounds or 40 inches must be seated and secured in a child seat or bicycle trailer.
Parents may not authorize their children to violate statutes related to bicycle travel. In other words, by state law, children under 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle whether their parents want them to or not.
🚧 You may notice some four-lane roads being converted into three lanes. This change is called a Road Diet — and it’s designed to make streets safer for everyone.
Here’s how it works:
➡️ One travel lane in each direction
➡️ A center left-turn lane that gives drivers dedicated space to turn without blocking traffic
Why it matters:
✔️ Shortens crossing distances for pedestrians
✔️ Makes left turns safer
✔️ Improves overall roadway safety
According to the FHWA, converting a road from four lanes to three can reduce crashes by up to 47%. Safer design = safer streets for all.
#WatchForMeCT #RoadDiets ... See MoreSee Less
Slow down and move over a lane if you can when there are vehicles stopped on the side of the road or highway ahead. Lives depend on it.Today, the entire MaineDOT family is heartbroken. Yesterday, we lost two dedicated public servants: James Brown and Dwayne Campbell from our Fairfield Crew. When they left for work, no one could have known they wouldn’t return. Our entire team mourns today from this unspeakable loss and we share our sympathies with their families, friends, and loved ones. Two other MaineDOT workers were injured but are recovering today.
We appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we work to rebuild and recover from this tragic incident. Every day, road workers put their trust in your hands. They step out of their vehicles trusting that drivers are paying attention, distraction free, and focused on driving safely. No matter what comes out of this ongoing investigation, we hope you will see our flashing lights on the side of the road as a reminder: move over a lane if possible; if not, slow down. There are lives at stake.
We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to the Maine State Police, Waterville Police Department, Waterville Fire Department, Waterville Public Works, Delta Ambulance, and Dostie’s Towing. For those of you who are continuing to reach out to your friends and family members at MaineDOT, we thank you for your kindness. It means a lot. 💔 ... See MoreSee Less
This National Passenger Safety Week we are encouraging vehicle passengers to speak up! Say something if you are in a car and you don't feel safe. Some reasons to feel unsafe include a driver that is:
đźš—Texting/using their cell phone when driving
đźš—Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
đźš—Driving too fast
đźš—Tailgating
đźš—Is driving while tired
Passengers can make a difference!
#WatchForMeCT #NationalPassengerSafetyWeek #PassengerSafety ... See MoreSee Less
Photos from State of Connecticut DMV's post ... See MoreSee Less
Congratulations Anna on becoming a Road Safety Champion!! 🥇🥇🥇On Thursday, November 20, 2025, we honored 270 graduates from across the entire state of Connecticut. The T2 Center hosted this annual event at the University of Connecticut's Storrs campus. Congratulations to all of the graduates, thank you to the agencies that support them, and to the T2 staff for their hard work all year round!
Read more about this event by visiting the T2 Center's website.
www.cti.uconn.edu/cti/T2Center_Home.asp ... See MoreSee Less
Public Service Announcement: If you run into car trouble on the highway, resist the urge to get out of your vehicle! The safest place for you is inside your car. Call for help and sit tight!
#WatchForMeCT #stayinyourcar ... See MoreSee Less
❄️🚗 Winter weather is here — stay safe on the roads!
Before heading out:
✔️ Check the forecast for ice and slippery conditions
✔️ Clear ALL snow from your vehicle — not just the windshield
✔️ Give yourself extra travel time so you can drive safely for the conditions
Remember: icy roads make it harder to stop for pedestrians and hazards. Slow down, stay alert, and drive cautiously this winter.
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All e-bike riders in Connecticut, regardless of age, must wear a helmet. Because e-bikes travel at faster speeds than traditional bikes, and because they are heavier, we recommend investing in a higher quality helmet. Look for NTA-8776 certified helmets – they offer enhanced protection against higher impact speeds.
#WatchForMeCT #EBikeSafety #helmets ... See MoreSee Less
Don't have a New Year's resolution yet? Here's an idea: Talk with your child about pedestrian safety and model good behavior. A few minutes of conversation and consistent habits—like using crosswalks, putting phones away, and looking both ways—can make a lasting difference.
#WatchForMeCT #WinnieAndWally #PedestrianSafety ... See MoreSee Less