The Answer every driver and bike rider needs to know!

Ever since I heard some nitwit in a car tell me I 'belonged on the sidewalk' while riding my bicycle, I've been curious about the actual legal language that declares that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as automotive drivers. Wonder no more! After a recent, similar encounter, El Presidente de China over at Beat Bike Blog posted the actual law, Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-286a,

Every person riding a bicycle, as defined by section 14-286, upon the traveled portion of a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any vehicle subject to the requirements of the statutes relating to motor vehicles

Thanks, El Presidente! And share the road, motorists!

Just have to quote this portion of the post so that people don't just assume El Presidente would be blowing smoke out of his ass, including the entire language of the CT State Statute:

Now, as a lawyer, I know better than to go around giving out legal advice to strangers. It's gauche and it's annoying. I also know better than to give out bad legal advice. So this guy's theory that I'm not allowed to ride on the street really irks me. Maybe he meant that I'm not allowed by him, in the same way that I don't allow most baseball teams to beat the Mets (and they frustratingly don't listen). But just in case he really thinks the law is on his side, or in case any of you other herbs out there think so, let me break it down for you:

Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-286a: Rights, duties and regulation of cyclists.
(a) Every person riding a bicycle, as defined by section 14-286, upon the traveled portion of a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any vehicle subject to the requirements of the statutes relating to motor vehicles, except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application and except that each town, city or borough and the State Traffic Commission within its jurisdiction as provided in section 14-298 shall have authority to regulate bicycles as provided in section 14-289 and said section 14-298, and except as provided by section 14-286c. No parent of any child and no guardian of any ward shall authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any provision of the general statutes or ordinances enacted under section 14-289 relating to bicycles.

I've also recently learned that the proper safe thing to do is to ride behind the car so that you are visible in their rear-view mirror. Does anyone know if this applies in Connecticut?