Connecticut Bicycle Laws

Required under age

Required under age 16

Applies to passengers

Yes

Standard

ANSI Z90.4 or Snell B-90 (a CPSC-certified helmet satisfies both).

Penalty

Civil infraction; the violation cannot be considered as contributing to the cause of an accident in any civil action. Failure to wear a helmet is not, by itself, grounds for a fine on a first offense if a conforming helmet is purchased.

Statute

¹

See our find your helmet size and kids bike sizing guide.

Statewide rule

Allowed with conditions

Notes

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-286a authorises sidewalk cycling unless prohibited by local ordinance or official sign. Riders must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking. Hartford, New Haven and Stamford ban sidewalk cycling in their central business districts; check the local municipal code.

Statute

¹

See our commuter bike sizing guide and bike fitting guide.

Applies to bicycles

No

Separate cycling DUI statute

No

BAC limit

—

Penalty

Connecticut's OUI statute (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a) applies only to operators of a 'motor vehicle,' and § 14-1(56) defines motor vehicle to exclude human-powered bicycles. Cyclists impaired in public may still face reckless-operation charges under § 14-289b or public-intoxication penalties, but the OUI consequences - including a 45-day licence suspension and ignition interlock - do not attach to bicycle operation.

Statute

¹²

— Not yet researched.

Front light required

Yes

Front spec

White lamp on the front, visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.

Rear requirement

Rear reflector or light

Rear spec

Red reflector on the rear visible from a distance of 600 feet when directly in front of lawful upper-beam headlamps. A red rear lamp visible from 500 feet may be used in addition to the reflector.

Side reflectors

No

Pedal reflectors

No

When required

Darkness

Statute

¹

See our bike lights that meet the law and winter and low-light cycling setup.

— Not yet researched.

Two abreast allowed

Yes

Conditions

Two abreast permitted; persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-286b derivative of UVC §11-1205.

Statute

¹

Rule

—

Statute

—

— Not yet researched.

Bicycle registration required

No

Operator license required

No

Interstates

Prohibited

Notes

Bicycles are prohibited on all Interstate highways in Connecticut (I-84, I-91, I-95, I-291, I-384, I-395, I-684, I-691) and on most other limited-access state highways under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-298 and ConnDOT policy. Conventional state and US routes are open by default.