Last week, Westport’s board of selectmen — aka the town’s traffic authority — unanimously accepted three “3 Feet Please” signs, donated by the Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club.
The signs publicize Connecticut’s little-known and even-less-followed 3-foot law, requiring drivers to allow at least 3 feet of separation when overtaking and passing cyclists.
The signs will be placed on 3 heavily traveled, hairy-for-cyclists spots heading to the beach, on South Compo, Greens Farms and Hillspoint Roads.
A typical scene near the beach.
The selectmen highlighted other state laws that bikers and drivers should be aware of. For example:
- Bicyclists traveling on roadways have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.
- Bicyclists must stop at red lights, and make a full stop at stop signs.
- Bicyclists cannot ride into oncoming traffic.
- Bicyclists must use hand or mechanical signals to communicate with other travelers.
- Bicyclists may not ride more than 2 abreast.
- Children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet.
Westport is well known for its lunatic drivers. Cyclists are often terrified on town roads.
But, as the list above shows, there are plenty of laws they ignore too.
In the words of Rodney King: “Can’t we all just get along?”
Probably not. Unless, that is, we follow the words of Robert Frost, and take the road less traveled.