A nice list of CT statutes regarding bicycles: http://www.millslawfirm.org/PracticeAreas/Connecticut-Cyclists-Bill-of-Rights.asp

Actually, since you placed this clicket on Whitney Avenue, I should point out that this road was built for horses, buggies and trollies.

Connecticut law specifically requires bicycles to remain on the roadways, and provides them with the same rules and obligations as motorists. If you don't like the law, feel free to lobby your state legislators to change it.

Until that happens, I will continue to use the roadway. If it causes you some minor inconvenience, feel free to flag me down and step out of your car so that we can address the problem face-to-face.

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Closing issue. New Haven has a complete streets policy that requires accommodation of all road users, regardless of age or ability.

The New Haven to Hamden section of Whitney Avenue actually needs major work to make it more accommodating to cyclists and pedestrians, not to mention drivers, given the number of near fatal crashes or near-crashes here each month.

The city has complete control of Whitney all the way to the Hamden line, so I'm not sure why improvements have been delayed or not included during last year's rebuilding project.

Roger, that is simply uninformed. If you want, I can direct you to plenty of bicyclists who have been ticketed for riding on sidewalks, or the wrong way on the street or similar violations. And many of us in the cycling community actually support these efforts to make cyclists more accountable.

I'm not sure what you mean by "egalitarian bicyclist type." I consider egalitarianism to be a positive quality. But if you mean cyclists who demand equal rights to the roadways, as provided under Connecticut law, then I'll happily put myself in that category.

no, this issue has been going on for years, it is not closed just becase you believe something different.

I drive down Whitney every day (guilty!) and have no problem with cyclists. I'm happy they are there and wish there were even more of them, so that I could feel safer riding my bicycle down Whitney Avenue. Safety in numbers. Right now, I feel a car is safer...but I sure wish I didn't feel that way. I need the exercise and fresh air. And I'd like to feel I was supporting a more sustainable mode of transportation. Finally, cyclists travel down Whitney Avenue just as quickly as cars, because the flow can't sustain faster driving speeds. So it doesn't really make sense to drive anyway, except for the safety concerns.

I would propose New Haven widen the sidewalks on Whitney Avenue and put in clearly marked, safe, off-street bicycle lanes, like you see in many more progressive cities and college towns. The State DOT couldn't possibly block this, since I assume they only have jurisdiction over the road, and not the sidewalks.

I agree that the issue should be closed. State and local laws clearly permit cycling on the roadways, and provide no basis for the statement that the road is "built for cars."

There is no action to be taken and nothing to "fix" -- unless it is to lobby for laws that revoke cyclists' right to use the streets. Mitch, you are welcome to do that if you feel strongly about this issue. But I don't think advocacy for legislative action is what SCF is designed for.

Mitch - it's not a matter of competing beliefs. It's not that we believe bicycles should be on the streets and you don't. It's a matter of law. You might not like the law, you might believe that the law is wrong...but you are compelled to follow the law just like the rest of us. Please be courteous to your fellow human beings who choose to bicycle instead of drive. We're not doing it to @#$% you off.