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.
Winnie and Wally know that school zone safety starts with you! 🎒🚸
School zones can be busy, so remember to watch for cars, buses, and bikes. Stay on sidewalks and designated paths, never dart between parked vehicles, and always cross where it’s safe and drivers can see you.
Let’s help Winnie and Wally keep school zones safe for everyone! 👀
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👏👏👏 Town of West Hartford, CT 👏👏👏
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West Hartford Advances 200+ 'Vision Zero' Safety Projects This Year, See Where
patch.com
West Hartford has completed 96 Vision Zero road projects in 2026, with another 114 underway or planned this year.🚴 More Than Just Speed Bumps: Bike Lanes
Did you know? In Connecticut, bicycles are legally considered vehicles.
Bike lanes give cyclists a dedicated space to travel safely, especially those who may not feel comfortable riding in the traffic lane.
Even better are:
✅ Buffered bike lanes, which provide extra space between cyclists and vehicles.
✅ Protected bike lanes, which include physical barriers for added safety.
These designs don't just help bicyclists—they reduce conflicts between cars and bicycles and, in the case of protected bike lanes, also visually narrow the roadway, encouraging drivers to slow down and creating safer streets for everyone.
Safer roads benefit all who use them.
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Winnie and Wally are on their way to the park—but getting there safely is just as important as the fun waiting ahead! 🌳☀️
Whether you're walking or biking to your favorite park, remember to use sidewalks whenever they're available, cross only at marked crosswalks, walk your bike through busy intersections, and watch for vehicles entering and exiting parking lots.
A few simple safety habits can help everyone enjoy a safe trip to the park. Where are Winnie and Wally headed next? Tell us your family's favorite Connecticut park in the comments! 👇
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🎒 With the school year starting up, Amy is here with tips to help keep kids—and everyone on the road—safe.
Increased traffic, school buses, pedestrians, and bicyclists mean commutes may require a little more time and attention. 🚗🚌🚶♀️🚲
Listen in to learn how you can help make every trip a safer one this school year!
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🚌 Back-to-School Means Safety First
School is back in session, and that means new routines and new traffic patterns.
As students head to bus stops, walk to school, and parents navigate drop-off lines, our roads become much busier.
A few simple reminders:
⏰ Leave a few extra minutes for your commute.
🚸 Watch for children crossing the street and walking near roadways.
🚗 Be patient as everyone adjusts to the new school-year routine.
A little extra time and awareness can make everyone's commute safer and less stressful.
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Last week, Watch for Me CT’s Amy Watkins joined state leaders and other officials for a back-to-school press conference focused on keeping Connecticut’s students safe.
Amy, along with other key leaders, continue to stress the importance of cautious driving as students return to their daily morning and afternoon commutes, reminding drivers to stay alert and watch for children walking, biking, and crossing the road.
Amy also offered safety tips for parents and caregivers when it comes to e-bikes, including ways to help make sure kids are riding safely.
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🚶♀️🚲 Road Safety Starts Early! 🚲🚶♂️
Help keep young pedestrians and bicyclists safe by teaching them the basics of road safety. Children under 10 often have difficulty judging traffic, vehicle speed, and safe crossing opportunities, which is why adult supervision is so important.
In this carousel, Winnie and Wally share key tips for:
✅ Walking safely near roads
✅ Crossing streets the right way
✅ Riding bikes safely and wearing a properly fitted helmet
✅ Following the rules of the road
Swipe through to learn simple ways to help children stay safe while walking and biking. 💛
#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #BicyclistSafety #RoadSafety #safekids #trafficsafety #WalkSafe #bikesafe ... See MoreSee Less