Remember when cyclists in Connecticut had to stick as close to the right side of the road as possible? Not anymore, since new legislation that was signed into law June 1, and went into effect July 1, 2016. The new rules are intended to increase biker safety and allow more flexibility for bikers to make their own judgment calls according to street conditions.
The dangers that bike riders face
Bike riding is great exercise, and regularly riding, such as for commuting or running errands can do a lot to save money and the environment. But biking has its dangers too. Bike riders are far more exposed to the outside world and vulnerable to injury than those who confined to traditional motor vehicles. While many strive to make bike riding safe for kids, it turns out that the mist vulnerable group is adult male bike riders over age 20. In 2014, data from the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed that 551 adult male riders over age 20 were killed on bicycles due to a crash involving a motor vehicle in 2014, roughly five times higher than males under 20, with an even bigger gap between women and girls who ride their bikes. Although statistics between women and girl bike riders are not as dramatic, recent years have also seen an increase in women over 20 who are killed in bike/motor vehicle crashes.