Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162
AN ACT REGULATING EL ECTRIC FOOT SCOOTERS .
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 14-1 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
Terms used in this chapter [, sections 14-289k and 14-289l and this
section] shall be construed as follows, unless another construction is
clearly apparent from the language or context in which the term is
used or unless the construction is inconsistent with the manifest
intention of the General Assembly:
(1) "Activity vehicle" means a student transportation vehicle that is
used to transport students in connection with school-sponsored events
and activities, but is not used to transport students to and from school;
(2) "Agricultural tractor" means a tractor or other form of
nonmuscular motive power used for transporting, hauling, plowing,
cultivating, planting, harvesting, reaping or other agricultural
purposes on any farm or other private property, or used for the
purpose of transporting, from one farm to another, agricultural
implements and farm products, provided the agricultural tractor is not
used on any highway for transporting a pay load or for some other Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 2 of 37
commercial purpose;
(3) "Antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle" means a motor
vehicle twenty years old or older which is being preserved because of
historic interest and which is not altered or modified from the original
manufacturer's specifications;
(4) "Apparent candle power" means an illumination equal to the
normal illumination in foot candles produced by any lamp or lamps,
divided by the square of the distance in feet between the lamp or
lamps and the point at which the measurement is made;
(5) "Authorized emergency vehicle" means (A) a fire department
vehicle, (B) a police vehicle, or (C) a public service company or
municipal department ambulance or emergency vehicle designated or
authorized for use as an authorized emergency vehicle by the
commissioner;
(6) "Autocycle" means a motor vehicle that meets the requirements
of a motorcycle under 49 CFR Part 571, and (A) does not have more
than three wheels in contact with the ground, (B) is designed to be
controlled with a steering wheel and foot pedals for acceleration,
braking or shifting, (C) has a seat or seats that are fully or partially
enclosed and in which the occupants sit with their legs forward, and
(D) is equipped with safety belts, in accordance with section 14-100a,
for all occupants;
(7) "Auxiliary driving lamp" means an additional lighting device on
a motor vehicle used primarily to supplement the general illumination
in front of a motor vehicle provided by the motor vehicle's head lamps;
(8) "Bulb" means a light source consisting of a glass bulb containing
a filament or substance capable of being electrically maintained at
incandescence; Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 3 of 37
(9) "Camp trailer" includes any trailer designed for living or
sleeping purposes and used exclusively for camping or recreational
purposes;
(10) "Camp trailer registration" means the type of registration issued
to any trailer that is for nonbusiness use and is limited to camp trailers
and utility trailers;
(11) "Camp vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is regularly used
to transport persons under eighteen years of age in connection with the
activities of any youth camp, as defined in section 19a-420;
(12) "Camper" means any motor vehicle designed or permanently
altered in such a way as to provide temporary living quarters for
travel, camping or recreational purposes;
(13) "Class 1 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped
with a motor that engages only when the rider operates the electric
bicycle's foot pedals, and disengages when the rider stops pedaling or
such electric bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour;
(14) "Class 2 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped
with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the electric
bicycle, and disengages when the brakes are applied or such electric
bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour;
(15) "Class 3 electric bicycle" means an electric bicycle equipped
with a motor that engages only when the rider operates the electric
bicycle's foot pedals, and disengages when the rider stops pedaling or
such electric bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour;
(16) "Combination registration" means the type of registration
issued to a motor vehicle used for both private passenger and
commercial purposes if such vehicle does not have a gross vehicle
weight rating in excess of twelve thousand five hundred pounds; Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 4 of 37
(17) "Commercial driver's license" or "CDL" means a license issued
to an individual in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-44a to
14-44m, inclusive, which authorizes such individual to drive a
commercial motor vehicle;
(18) "Commercial driver's license information system" or "CDLIS"
means the national database of holders of commercial driver's licenses
established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
pursuant to Section 12007 of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act
of 1986;
(19) "Commercial motor vehicle" means a vehicle designed or used
to transport passengers or property, except a vehicle used for farming
purposes in accordance with 49 CFR 383.3(d), fire fighting apparatus
or an emergency vehicle, as defined in section 14-283, or a recreational
vehicle in private use, which (A) has a gross vehicle weight rating of
twenty-six thousand and one pounds or more, or a gross combination
weight rating of twenty-six thousand and one pounds or more,
inclusive of a towed unit or units with a gross vehicle weight rating of
more than ten thousand pounds; (B) is designed to transport sixteen or
more passengers, including the driver, or is designed to transport more
than ten passengers, including the driver, and is used to transport
students under the age of twenty-one years to and from school; or (C)
is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in
accordance with 49 CFR 172, Subpart F, as amended, or any quantity of
a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73;
(20) "Commercial registration" means the type of registration
required for any motor vehicle designed or used to transport
merchandise, freight or persons in connection with any business
enterprise, unless a more specific type of registration is authorized and
issued by the commissioner for such class of vehicle;
(21) "Commercial trailer" means a trailer used in the conduct of a Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 5 of 37
business to transport freight, materials or equipment whether or not
permanently affixed to the bed of the trailer;
(22) "Commercial trailer registration" means the type of registration
issued to any commercial trailer;
(23) "Commissioner" includes the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
and any assistant to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles who is
designated and authorized by, and who is acting for, the
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under a designation; except that the
deputy commissioners of motor vehicles and the Attorney General are
deemed, unless the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles otherwise
provides, to be designated and authorized by, and acting for, the
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under a designation;
(24) "Controlled substance" has the same meaning as provided in
section 21a-240 and the federal laws and regulations incorporated in
chapter 420b;
(25) "Conviction" means an unvacated adjudication of guilt, or a
determination that a person has violated or failed to comply with the
law in a court of original jurisdiction or an authorized administrative
tribunal, an unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to
secure the person's appearance in court, the payment of a fine or court
cost, or violation of a condition of release without bail, regardless of
whether or not the penalty is rebated, suspended or probated;
(26) "Dealer" includes any person actively engaged in buying,
selling or exchanging motor vehicles or trailers who has an established
place of business in this state and who may, incidental to such
business, repair motor vehicles or trailers, or cause them to be repaired
by persons in his or her employ;
(27) "Disqualification" means a withdrawal of the privilege to drive
a commercial motor vehicle, which occurs as a result of (A) any Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 6 of 37
suspension, revocation, or cancellation by the commissioner of the
privilege to operate a motor vehicle; (B) a determination by the Federal
Highway Administration, under the rules of practice for motor carrier
safety contained in 49 CFR 386, as amended, that a person is no longer
qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle under the standards of
49 CFR 391, as amended; or (C) the loss of qualification which follows
any of the convictions or administrative actions specified in section 14-
44k;
(28) "Drive" means to drive, operate or be in physical control of a
motor vehicle, including a motor vehicle being towed by another;
(29) "Driver" means any person who drives, operates or is in
physical control of a commercial motor vehicle, or who is required to
hold a commercial driver's license;
(30) "Driver's license" or "operator's license" means a valid
Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license or a license issued by
another state or foreign jurisdiction authorizing the holder thereof to
operate a motor vehicle on the highways;
(31) "Electric bicycle" means a bicycle equipped with operable foot
pedals and an electric motor of fewer than seven hundred fifty watts of
power that is either a class 1, class 2 or class 3 bicycle. "Electric bicycle"
does not include a dirt bike or an all-terrain vehicle;
(32) "Electric foot scooter" means a device (A) that weighs not more
than seventy-five pounds, (B) that has two or three wheels, handlebars
and a floorboard that can be stood upon while riding, (C) that is
powered by an electric motor and human power, and (D) whose
maximum speed, with or without human propulsion on a paved level
surface, is not more than twenty miles per hour;
[(32)] (33) "Employee" means any operator of a commercial motor
vehicle, including full-time, regularly employed drivers, casual, Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 7 of 37
intermittent or occasional drivers, drivers under contract and
independent owner-operator contractors, who, while in the course of
operating a commercial motor vehicle, are either directly employed by,
or are under contract to, an employer;
[(33)] (34) "Employer" means any person, including the United
States, a state or any political subdivision thereof, who owns or leases
a commercial motor vehicle, or assigns a person to drive a commercial
motor vehicle;
[(34)] (35) "Farm implement" means a vehicle designed and adapted
exclusively for agricultural, horticultural or livestock-raising
operations and which is not operated on a highway for transporting a
pay load or for any other commercial purpose;
[(35)] (36) "Felony" means any offense, as defined in section 53a-25
and includes any offense designated as a felony under federal law;
[(36)] (37) "Fatality" means the death of a person as a result of a
motor vehicle accident;
[(37)] (38) "Foreign jurisdiction" means any jurisdiction other than a
state of the United States;
[(38)] (39) "Fuels" means (A) all products commonly or
commercially known or sold as gasoline, including casinghead and
absorption or natural gasoline, regardless of their classification or uses,
(B) any liquid prepared, advertised, offered for sale or sold for use, or
commonly and commercially used, as a fuel in internal combustion
engines, which, when subjected to distillation in accordance with the
standard method of test for distillation of gasoline, naphtha, kerosene
and similar petroleum products by "American Society for Testing
Materials Method D-86", shows not less than ten per cent distilled
(recovered) below 347° Fahrenheit (175° Centigrade) and not less than
ninety-five per cent distilled (recovered) below 464° Fahrenheit (240° Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 8 of 37
Centigrade); provided the term "fuels" [shall] does not include
commercial solvents or naphthas which distill, by "American Society
for Testing Materials Method D-86", not more than nine per cent at
176° Fahrenheit and which have a distillation range of 150° Fahrenheit,
or less, or liquefied gases which would not exist as liquids at a
temperature of 60° Fahrenheit and a pressure of 14.7 pounds per
square inch absolute, and (C) any liquid commonly referred to as
"gasohol" which is prepared, advertised, offered for sale or sold for
use, or commonly and commercially used, as a fuel in internal
combustion engines, consisting of a blend of gasoline and a minimum
of ten per cent by volume of ethyl or methyl alcohol;
[(39)] (40) "Garage" includes every place of business where motor
vehicles are, for compensation, received for housing, storage or repair;
[(40)] (41) "Gross vehicle weight rating" or "GVWR" means the value
specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a
single or a combination (articulated) vehicle. The GVWR of a
combination (articulated) vehicle commonly referred to as the "gross
combination weight rating" or GCWR is the GVWR of the power unit
plus the GVWR of the towed unit or units;
[(41)] (42) "Gross weight" means the light weight of a vehicle plus
the weight of any load on the vehicle, provided, in the case of a tractor-
trailer unit, "gross weight" means the light weight of the tractor plus
the light weight of the trailer or semitrailer plus the weight of the load
on the vehicle;
[(42)] (43) "Hazardous materials" has the same meaning as provided
in 49 CFR 383.5;
[(43)] (44) "Head lamp" means a lighting device affixed to the front
of a motor vehicle projecting a high intensity beam which lights the
road in front of the vehicle so that it can proceed safely during the Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 9 of 37
hours of darkness;
[(44)] (45) "High-mileage vehicle" means a motor vehicle having the
following characteristics: (A) Not less than three wheels in contact with
the ground; (B) a completely enclosed seat on which the driver sits; (C)
a single or two cylinder, gasoline or diesel engine or an electric-
powered engine; and (D) efficient fuel consumption;
[(45)] (46) "Highway" includes any state or other public highway,
road, street, avenue, alley, driveway, parkway, place or dedicated
roadway for bus rapid transit service, under the control of the state or
any political subdivision of the state, dedicated, appropriated or
opened to public travel or other use;
[(46)] (47) "Imminent hazard" means the existence of a condition that
presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe
personal injury or a substantial endangerment to health, property, or
the environment may occur before the reasonably foreseeable
completion date of a formal proceeding begun to lessen the risk of that
death, illness, injury or endangerment;
[(47)] (48) "Intersecting highway" includes any public highway
which joins another at an angle whether or not it crosses the other;
[(48)] (49) "Light weight" means the weight of an unloaded motor
vehicle as ordinarily equipped and ready for use, exclusive of the
weight of the operator of the motor vehicle;
[(49)] (50) "Limited access highway" means a state highway so
designated under the provisions of section 13b-27;
[(50)] (51) "Local authorities" includes the board of aldermen,
common council, chief of police, warden and burgesses, board of
selectmen or other officials having authority for the enactment or
enforcement of traffic regulations within their respective towns, cities Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 10 of 37
or boroughs;
[(51)] (52) "Maintenance vehicle" means any vehicle in use by the
state or by any town, city, borough or district, any state bridge or
parkway authority or any public service company, as defined in
section 16-1, in the maintenance of public highways or bridges and
facilities located within the limits of public highways or bridges;
[(52)] (53) "Manufacturer" means (A) a person, whether a resident or
nonresident, engaged in the business of constructing or assembling
new motor vehicles of a type required to be registered by the
commissioner, for operation upon any highway, except a utility trailer,
which are offered for sale in this state, or (B) a person who distributes
new motor vehicles to new car dealers licensed in this state;
[(53)] (54) "Median divider" means an intervening space or physical
barrier or clearly indicated dividing section separating traffic lanes
provided for vehicles proceeding in opposite directions;
[(54)] (55) "Modified antique motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle
twenty years old or older which has been modified for safe road use,
including, but not limited to, modifications to the drive train,
suspension, braking system and safety or comfort apparatus;
[(55)] (56) "Motor bus" includes any motor vehicle, except a taxicab,
as defined in section 13b-95, operated in whole or in part on any street
or highway in a manner affording a means of transportation by
indiscriminately receiving or discharging passengers, or running on a
regular route or over any portion of a regular route or between fixed
termini;
[(56)] (57) "Motor home" means a vehicular unit designed to provide
living quarters and necessary amenities which are built into an integral
part of, or permanently attached to, a truck or van chassis; Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 11 of 37
[(57)] (58) "Motor-driven cycle" means any of the following vehicles
that have a seat height of not less than twenty-six inches and a motor
having a capacity of less than fifty cubic centimeters piston
displacement: (A) A motorcycle, other than an autocycle; (B) a motor
scooter; or (C) a bicycle with attached motor, except an electric bicycle;
[(58)] (59) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled or drawn by
any nonmuscular power, except aircraft, motor boats, road rollers,
baggage trucks used about railroad stations or other mass transit
facilities, electric battery-operated wheel chairs when operated by
persons with physical disabilities at speeds not exceeding fifteen miles
per hour, golf carts operated on highways solely for the purpose of
crossing from one part of the golf course to another, golf-cart-type
vehicles operated on roads or highways on the grounds of state
institutions by state employees, agricultural tractors, farm implements,
such vehicles as run only on rails or tracks, self-propelled snow plows,
snow blowers and lawn mowers, when used for the purposes for
which they were designed and operated at speeds not exceeding four
miles per hour, whether or not the operator rides on or walks behind
such equipment, motor-driven cycles, as defined in section 14-286, as
amended by this act, special mobile equipment, as defined in section
14-165, mini-motorcycles, as defined in section 14-289j, electric
bicycles, electric foot scooters and any other vehicle not suitable for
operation on a highway;
[(59)] (60) "Motorcycle" means (A) an autocycle, as defined in this
section, or (B) a motor vehicle, with or without a side car, that has (i)
not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, (ii) a saddle or
seat which the rider straddles or a platform on which the rider stands,
and (iii) handlebars with which the rider controls the movement of the
vehicle. "Motorcycle" does not include a motor-driven cycle, [or] an
electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter;
[(60)] (61) "National Driver Registry" or "NDR" means the licensing Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 12 of 37
information system and database operated by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration and established pursuant to the National
Driver Registry Act of 1982, as amended;
[(61)] (62) "New motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, the equitable
or legal title to which has never been transferred by a manufacturer,
distributor or dealer to an ultimate consumer;
[(62)] (63) "Nonresident" means any person whose legal residence is
in a state other than Connecticut or in a foreign country;
[(63)] (64) "Nonresident commercial driver's license" or "nonresident
CDL" means a commercial driver's license issued by a state to an
individual who resides in a foreign jurisdiction;
[(64)] (65) "Nonskid device" means any device applied to the tires,
wheels, axles or frame of a motor vehicle for the purpose of increasing
the traction of the motor vehicle;
[(65)] (66) "Number plate" means any sign or marker furnished by
the commissioner on which is displayed the registration number
assigned to a motor vehicle by the commissioner;
[(66)] (67) "Officer" includes any constable, state marshal, inspector
of motor vehicles, state policeman or other official authorized to make
arrests or to serve process, provided the officer is in uniform or
displays the officer's badge of office in a conspicuous place when
making an arrest;
[(67)] (68) "Operator" means any person who operates a motor
vehicle or who steers or directs the course of a motor vehicle being
towed by another motor vehicle and includes a driver; [as defined in
subdivision (26) of this section;]
[(68)] (69) "Out-of-service order" means an order (A) issued by a Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 13 of 37
person having inspection authority, as defined in regulations adopted
by the commissioner pursuant to section 14-163c, or by an authorized
official of the United States Department of Transportation Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration pursuant to any provision of
federal law, to prohibit any motor vehicle specified in subsection (a) of
section 14-163c from being operated on any highway, or to prohibit a
driver from operating any such motor vehicle, or (B) issued by the
United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration, pursuant to any provision of federal law, to
prohibit any motor carrier, as defined in Section 386.2 of Title 49 of the
Code of Federal Regulations, from engaging in commercial motor
vehicle operations;
[(69)] (70) "Owner" means any person holding title to a motor
vehicle, or having the legal right to register the same, including
purchasers under conditional bills of sale;
[(70)] (71) "Parked vehicle" means a motor vehicle in a stationary
position within the limits of a public highway;
[(71)] (72) "Passenger and commercial motor vehicle" means a motor
vehicle used for private passenger and commercial purposes which is
eligible for combination registration;
[(72)] (73) "Passenger motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle used for
the private transportation of persons and their personal belongings,
designed to carry occupants in comfort and safety, with a capacity of
carrying not more than ten passengers including the operator thereof;
[(73)] (74) "Passenger registration" means the type of registration
issued to a passenger motor vehicle unless a more specific type of
registration is authorized and issued by the commissioner for such
class of vehicle;
[(74)] (75) "Person" includes any individual, corporation, limited Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 14 of 37
liability company, association, copartnership, company, firm, business
trust or other aggregation of individuals but does not include the state
or any political subdivision thereof, unless the context clearly states or
requires;
[(75)] (76) "Pick-up truck" means a motor vehicle with an enclosed
forward passenger compartment and an open rearward compartment
used for the transportation of property;
[(76)] (77) "Pneumatic tires" means tires inflated or inflatable with
air;
[(77)] (78) "Pole trailer" means a trailer which is (A) intended for
transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, logs, pipes
or structural members, which loads are capable of sustaining
themselves as beams between supporting connections, and (B)
designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle and attached or secured
directly to the motor vehicle by any means including a reach, pole or
boom;
[(78)] (79) "Public passenger endorsement" means an endorsement
issued to an individual, which authorizes such individual to transport
passengers, including, but not limited to, passengers who are students
in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of section 14-36a;
[(79)] (80) "Recreational vehicle" includes the camper, camp trailer
and motor home classes of vehicles;
[(80)] (81) "Registration" includes the certificate of motor vehicle
registration and the number plate or plates used in connection with
such registration;
[(81)] (82) "Registration number" means the identifying number or
letters, or both, assigned by the commissioner to a motor vehicle; Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 15 of 37
[(82)] (83) "Resident", for the purpose of registering motor vehicles,
includes any person who is a legal resident of this state, as the
commissioner may presume from the fact that such person occupies a
place of dwelling in this state for more than six months in a year, or
any person, firm or corporation owning or leasing a motor vehicle
used or operated in intrastate business in this state, or a firm or
corporation having its principal office or place of business in this state;
[(83)] (84) "School bus" means any school bus, as defined in section
14-275, including a commercial motor vehicle used to transport
preschool, elementary school or secondary school students from home
to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored
events, but does not include a bus used as a common carrier;
[(84)] (85) "Second" violation or "subsequent" violation means an
offense committed not more than three years after the date of an arrest
which resulted in a previous conviction for a violation of the same
statutory provision, except in the case of a violation of section 14-215,
14-224, 14-227a or 14-227m, "second" violation or "subsequent"
violation means an offense committed not more than ten years after
the date of an arrest which resulted in a previous conviction for a
violation of the same statutory provision;
[(85)] (86) "Semitrailer" means any trailer type vehicle designed and
used in conjunction with a motor vehicle so that some part of its own
weight and load rests on or is carried by another vehicle;
[(86)] (87) "Serious traffic violation" means a conviction of any of the
following offenses: (A) Excessive speeding, involving a single offense
in which the speed is fifteen miles per hour or more above the posted
speed limit, in violation of section 14-218a or 14-219; (B) reckless
driving in violation of section 14-222; (C) following too closely in
violation of section 14-240 or 14-240a; (D) improper or erratic lane
changes, in violation of section 14-236; (E) using a hand-held mobile Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 16 of 37
telephone or other electronic device or typing, reading or sending text
or a text message with or from a mobile telephone or mobile electronic
device in violation of subsection (e) of section 14-296aa while operating
a commercial motor vehicle; (F) driving a commercial motor vehicle
without a valid commercial driver's license in violation of section 14-
36a or 14-44a; (G) failure to carry a commercial driver's license in
violation of section 14-44a; (H) failure to have the proper class of
license or endorsement, or violation of a license restriction in violation
of section 14-44a; or (I) a violation of any provision of chapter 248, by
an operator who holds a commercial driver's license or instruction
permit that results in the death of another person;
[(87)] (88) "Service bus" includes any vehicle except a vanpool
vehicle or a school bus designed and regularly used to carry ten or
more passengers when used in private service for the transportation of
persons without charge to the individual;
[(88)] (89) "Service car" means any motor vehicle used by a
manufacturer, dealer or repairer for emergency motor vehicle repairs
on the highways of this state, for towing or for the transportation of
necessary persons, tools and materials to and from the scene of such
emergency repairs or towing;
[(89)] (90) "Shoulder" means that portion of a highway immediately
adjacent and contiguous to the travel lanes or main traveled portion of
the roadway;
[(90)] (91) "Solid tires" means tires of rubber, or other elastic material
approved by the Commissioner of Transportation, which do not
depend on confined air for the support of the load;
[(91)] (92) "Spot lamp" or "spot light" means a lighting device
projecting a high intensity beam, the direction of which can be readily
controlled for special or emergency lighting as distinguished from Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 17 of 37
ordinary road illumination;
[(92)] (93) "State" means any state of the United States and the
District of Columbia unless the context indicates a more specific
reference to the state of Connecticut;
[(93)] (94) "Stop" means complete cessation of movement;
[(94)] (95) "Student" means any person under the age of twenty-one
years who is attending a preprimary, primary or secondary school
program of education;
[(95)] (96) "Tail lamp" means a lighting device affixed to the rear of a
motor vehicle showing a red light to the rear and indicating the
presence of the motor vehicle when viewed from behind;
[(96)] (97) "Tank vehicle" means any commercial motor vehicle
designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank that
is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or its
chassis, which [shall include] includes, but is not [be] limited to, a
cargo tank and portable tank, as defined in 49 CFR 383.5, as amended,
provided it [shall] does not include a portable tank with a rated
capacity not to exceed one thousand gallons;
[(97)] (98) "Tractor" or "truck tractor" means a motor vehicle
designed and used for drawing a semitrailer;
[(98)] (99) "Tractor-trailer unit" means a combination of a tractor and
a trailer or a combination of a tractor and a semitrailer;
[(99)] (100) "Trailer" means any rubber-tired vehicle without motive
power drawn or propelled by a motor vehicle;
[(100)] (101) "Truck" means a motor vehicle designed, used or
maintained primarily for the transportation of property; Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 18 of 37
[(101)] (102) "Ultimate consumer" means, with respect to a motor
vehicle, the first person, other than a dealer, who in good faith
purchases the motor vehicle for purposes other than resale;
[(102)] (103) "United States" means the fifty states and the District of
Columbia;
[(103)] (104) "Used motor vehicle" includes any motor vehicle which
has been previously separately registered by an ultimate consumer;
[(104)] (105) "Utility trailer" means a trailer designed and used to
transport personal property, materials or equipment, whether or not
permanently affixed to the bed of the trailer;
[(105)] (106) "Vanpool vehicle" includes all motor vehicles, the
primary purpose of which is the daily transportation, on a prearranged
nonprofit basis, of individuals between home and work, and which:
(A) If owned by or leased to a person, or to an employee of the person,
or to an employee of a local, state or federal government unit or agency
located in Connecticut, are manufactured and equipped in such
manner as to provide a seating capacity of at least seven but not more
than fifteen individuals, or (B) if owned by or leased to a regional ride-
sharing organization in the state recognized by the Commissioner of
Transportation, are manufactured and equipped in such manner as to
provide a seating capacity of at least six but not more than nineteen
individuals;
[(106)] (107) "Vehicle" includes any device suitable for the
conveyance, drawing or other transportation of persons or property,
whether operated on wheels, runners, a cushion of air or by any other
means. The term does not include devices propelled or drawn by
human power or devices used exclusively on tracks;
[(107)] (108) "Vehicle identification number" or "VIN" means a series
of Arabic numbers and Roman letters that is assigned to each new Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 19 of 37
motor vehicle that is manufactured within or imported into the United
States, in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 565, unless another
sequence of numbers and letters has been assigned to a motor vehicle
by the commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-
149;
[(108)] (109) "Wrecker" means a vehicle which is registered,
designed, equipped and used for the purposes of towing or
transporting wrecked or disabled motor vehicles for compensation or
for related purposes by a person, firm or corporation licensed in
accordance with the provisions of subpart (D) of part III of this chapter
or a vehicle contracted for the consensual towing or transporting of
one or more motor vehicles to or from a place of sale, purchase,
salvage or repair.
Sec. 2. Subsection (c) of section 14-164c of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(c) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with
chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. Such
regulations shall include provision for a periodic inspection of air
pollution control equipment and compliance with or waiver of exhaust
emission standards or compliance with or waiver of on -board
diagnostic standards or other standards defined by the Commissioner
of Energy and Environmental Protection and approved by the
Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency,
compliance with or waiver of, air pollution control system integrity
standards defined by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental
Protection and compliance with or waiver of purge system standards
defined by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental
Protection. Such regulations may provide for an inspection procedure
using an on-board diagnostic information system for all 1996 model
year and newer motor vehicles. Such regulations shall apply to all Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 20 of 37
motor vehicles registered or which will be registered in this state
except: (1) Vehicles having a gross weight of more than ten thousand
pounds; (2) vehicles powered by electricity; (3) bicycles with motors
attached; (4) motorcycles; (5) vehicles operating with a temporary
registration; (6) vehicles manufactured twenty-five or more years ago;
(7) new vehicles at the time of initial registration; (8) vehicles
registered but not designed primarily for highway use; (9) farm
vehicles, as defined in subsection (q) of section 14-49; (10) diesel-
powered type II school buses; (11) a vehicle operated by a licensed
dealer or repairer either to or from a location of the purchase or sale of
such vehicle or for the purpose of obtaining an official emissions or
safety inspection; (12) vehicles that have met the inspection
requirements of section 14-103a and are registered by t he
commissioner as composite vehicles; [or] (13) electric bicycles, as
defined in section 14-1, as amended by this act; or (14) electric foot
scooters, as defined in section 14-1, as amended by this act. On and
after July 1, 2002, such regulations shall exempt from the periodic
inspection requirement any vehicle four or less model years of age,
beginning with model year 2003 and the previous three model years,
provided that such exemption shall lapse upon a finding by the
Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency
or by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation
that such exemption causes the state to violate applicable federal
environmental or transportation planning requirements.
Notwithstanding any provisions of this subsection, the commissioner
may require an initial emissions inspection and compliance or waiver
prior to registration of a new motor vehicle. If the Commissioner of
Energy and Environmental Protection finds that it is necessary to
inspect motor vehicles which are exempt under subdivision (1) or (4)
of this subsection, or motor vehicles that are four or less model years of
age in order to achieve compliance with federal law concerning
emission reduction requirements, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 21 of 37
54, to require the inspection of motorcycles, designated motor vehicles
having a gross weight of more than ten thousand pounds or motor
vehicles four or less model years of age.
Sec. 3. Subdivision (1) of section 14-212 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(1) The following terms shall be construed as they are defined in
section 14-1, as amended by this act: "Authorized emergency vehicle",
"class 1 electric bicycle", "class 2 electric bicycle", "class 3 electric
bicycle", "commissioner", "driver", "electric bicycle", "electric foot
scooter", "fuels", "gross weight", "head lamp", "high-mileage vehicle",
"highway", "light weight", "limited access highway", "maintenance
vehicle", "motor bus", "motorcycle", "motor vehicle registration",
"nonresident", "nonskid device", "number plate", "officer", "operator",
"owner", "passenger motor vehicle", "passenger and commercial motor
vehicle", "person", "pneumatic tires", "pole trailer", "registration",
"registration number", "second offense", "semitrailer", "shoulder",
"solid tires", "stop", "subsequent offense", "tail lamp", "tractor", "tractor-
trailer unit", "trailer", "truck" and "vanpool vehicle";
Sec. 4. Section 14-212c of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
A surcharge shall be imposed equivalent to one hundred per cent of
the fine established or imposed for a violation of subsection (e) of
section 14-242, section 14-245, 14-246a, 14-247 or 14-247a for such
violation when the driver of a vehicle fails to grant or yield the right-
of-way to a person riding a bicycle, as defined in section 14-286, as
amended by this act, [or a person riding] an electric bicycle or an
electric foot scooter.
Sec. 5. Subsection (a) of section 14-230 of the general statutes is Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 22 of 37
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(a) Upon all highways, each vehicle, other than a vehicle described
in subsection (c) of this section, shall be driven upon the right, except
(1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the
same direction, (2) when overtaking and passing pedestrians, parked
or standing vehicles, animals, bicycles, electric bicycles, mopeds,
scooters, electric foot scooters, vehicles moving at a slow speed, as
defined in section 14-220, or obstructions on the right side of the
highway, (3) when the right side of a highway is closed to traffic while
under construction or repair, (4) on a highway divided into three or
more marked lanes for traffic, or (5) on a highway designated and
signposted for one-way traffic.
Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 14-232 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(a) Except as provided in sections 14-233 and 14-234, as amended by
this act, (1) the driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle
proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe
distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until
safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and (2) the driver of an overtaken
vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle
and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely
passed by the overtaking vehicle. For the purposes of this subsection,
"safe distance" means not less than three feet when the driver of a
vehicle overtakes and passes a person riding a bicycle, [or] an electric
bicycle or an electric foot scooter.
Sec. 7. Subsection (b) of section 14-234 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019): Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 23 of 37
(b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass, in a marked no-
passing zone, pedestrians, parked or standing vehicles, animals,
bicycles, electric bicycles, mopeds, scooters, electric foot scooters,
vehicles moving at a slow speed, as defined in section 14-220, or
obstructions on the right side of the highway, as listed in subdivision
(2) of subsection (a) of section 14-230, as amended by this act, provided
such overtaking and passing may be conducted safely, with adequate
sight distance and without interfering with oncoming traffic or
endangering traffic, as defined in section 14-297, as amended by this
act.
Sec. 8. Subsection (f) of section 14-242 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(f) No person operating a vehicle who overtakes and passes a
person riding a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle or an electric foot
scooter and proceeding in the same direction shall make a right turn at
any intersection or into any private road or driveway unless the turn
can be made with reasonable safety and will not impede the travel of
the person riding the bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or electric foot
scooter.
Sec. 9. Section 14-286 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
(a) Each person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric
foot scooter upon and along a sidewalk or across any roadway upon
and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian
and shall give an audible signal within a reasonable distance before
overtaking and passing a pedestrian. Each person operating a bicycle,
an electric bicycle, an electric foot scooter or a motor-driven cycle upon
a roadway shall, within a reasonable distance, give an audible signal
before overtaking and passing a pedestrian or another [bicycle Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 24 of 37
operator] person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle, an electric foot
scooter or a motor-driven cycle. No person shall operate a bicycle, an
electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter upon or along a sidewalk or
across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk if such operation is
prohibited by any ordinance of any city, town or borough or by any
regulation of the Office of the State Traffic Administration issued or
adopted pursuant to the provisions of section 14-298, as amended by
this act.
(b) [No] Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, no
person shall ride a motor-driven cycle unless that person holds a valid
motor vehicle operator's license. No person shall operate a motor-
driven cycle on any sidewalk, limited access highway or turnpike.
(c) (1) [Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this
section, the] The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue to a
person who does not hold a valid operator's license a special permit
that authorizes such person to ride a motor-driven cycle if (A) such
person presents to the commissioner a certificate by a physician
licensed to practice medicine in this state or an advanced practice
registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 that such person is
physically disabled, as defined in section 1-1f, other than blind, and
that, in the physician's or advanced practice registered nurse's opinion,
such person is capable of riding a motor-driven cycle, and (B) such
person demonstrates to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that he is
able to ride a bicycle on level terrain, and a motor-driven cycle. (2)
Such permit may contain limitations that the commissioner deems
advisable for the safety of such person and for the public safety,
including, but not limited to, the maximum speed of the motor such
person may use. No person who holds a valid special permit under
this subsection shall operate a motor-driven cycle in violation of any
limitations imposed in the permit. Any person to whom a special
permit is issued shall carry the permit at all times while operating the Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 25 of 37
motor-driven cycle. Each permit issued under this subsection shall
expire one year from the date of issuance.
(d) Notwithstanding [the provisions of any statute or regulation to
the contrary] any provision of the general statutes, the Office of the
State Traffic Administration shall adopt regulations in accordance with
the provisions of chapter 54 determining the conditions and
circumstances under which [bicycle traffic] the operation of bicycles,
electric bicycles and electric foot scooters may be permitted on those
bridges in the state on limited access highways which it designates to
be safe for [bicycle traffic. Bicycle traffic] such operation. The operation
of bicycles, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters shall not be
prohibited on any such bridges under such conditions and
circumstances.
(e) As used in this section: (1) "Sidewalk" means any sidewalk laid
out as such by any town, city or borough, and any walk which is
reserved by custom for the use of pedestrians, or which has been
specially prepared for their use. "Sidewalk" does not include
crosswalks and does not include footpaths on portions of public
highways outside thickly settled parts of towns, cities and boroughs,
which are worn only by travel and are not improved by such towns,
cities or boroughs or by abutters; (2) "bicycle" includes all vehicles
propelled by the person riding the same by foot or hand power; and
(3) "motor-driven cycle" means any motorcycle other than an
autocycle, motor scooter or bicycle with an attached motor with a seat
height of not less than twenty-six inches and a motor having a capacity
of less than fifty cubic centimeters piston displacement.
(f) A person shall operate a motor-driven cycle on any public
highway, the speed limit of which is greater than the maximum speed
of the motor-driven cycle, only in the right hand lane available for
traffic or upon a usable shoulder on the right side of the highway,
except when preparing to make a left turn at an intersection or into or Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 26 of 37
from a private road or driveway.
(g) Any person who pleads not guilty of a violation of any provision
of this section shall be prosecuted within fifteen days of such plea.
(h) No person may operate a high-mileage vehicle [as defined in
section 14-1] on any sidewalk, limited access highway or turnpike.
(i) A person may park an electric foot scooter on any sidewalk
provided (1) such electric foot scooter is parked in a manner that does
not impede the reasonable movement of pedestrians and other traffic
on such sidewalk, and (2) such parking is not prohibited by any
ordinance of any city, town or borough or by any regulations of the
Office of the State Traffic Administration issued or adopted pursuant
to the provisions of section 14-298, as amended by this act.
[(i)] (j) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an
infraction.
Sec. 10. Subsection (a) of section 14-286a of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(a) Every person riding a bicycle, as defined in section 14-286, as
amended by this act, [or] an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter
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 general statutes relating
to motor vehicles, except (1) as to those provisions which by their
nature can have no application, [and except that] (2) each town, city or
borough and the Office of the State Traffic Administration within its
jurisdiction as provided in section 14-298, as amended by this act, shall
have authority to regulate bicycles, [and] electric bicycles and electric
foot scooters as provided in [section] sections 14-289, as amended by
this act, and [said section] 14-298, as amended by this act, and [except] Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 27 of 37
(3) as provided by section 14-286c, as amended by this act. 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, as amended by
this act, relating to bicycles, [or] electric bicycles or electric foot
scooters.
Sec. 11. Section 14-286b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
(a) Any person operating a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle or an
electric foot scooter upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of
traffic shall ride as close to the right side of the roadway as is safe, as
judged by [the bicyclist] such person, except when:
(1) Overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same
direction;
(2) Preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road
or driveway;
(3) Reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including, but not
limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles,
bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or lanes that are too
narrow for a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter
and a motor vehicle to travel safely side by side within such lanes;
(4) Approaching an intersection where right turns are permitted and
there is a dedicated right turn lane, in which case a [bicyclist or electric
bicyclist] person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric
foot scooter may ride on the left-hand side of such dedicated lane, even
if [the bicyclist or electric bicyclist] such person does not intend to turn
right;
(5) Riding on a roadway designated for one-way traffic, when the Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 28 of 37
[bicyclist or electric bicyclist] person operating a bicycle, an electric
bicycle or an electric foot scooter may ride as near to the left-hand curb
or edge of such roadway as judged safe by [the bicyclist or electric
bicyclist] such person; or
(6) Riding on parts of roadways separated for the exclusive use of
bicycles, [or] electric bicycles or electric foot scooters, including, but
not limited to, contra-flow bicycle lanes, left-handed cycle tracks or
bicycle lanes on one-way streets and two-way cycle tracks or bicycle
lanes.
(b) Persons riding bicycles, [or] electric bicycles or electric foot
scooters upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except
on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of
bicycles, [or] electric bicycles or electric foot scooters. Persons riding
two abreast, as provided in this subsection, shall not impede the
normal and reasonable movement of traffic, and, on a laned roadway,
shall ride within a single lane.
(c) No person riding upon any bicycle, electric bicycle, motor-driven
cycle, roller skates, skis, sled, skateboard, coaster, toy vehicle, electric
foot scooter or any other vehicle not designed or intended to be towed
shall attach the same or such person to any vehicle moving or about to
move on a public roadway nor shall the operator of such vehicle
knowingly permit any person riding a bicycle, electric bicycle, motor-
driven cycle, roller skates, skis, skateboard, coaster, sled, toy vehicle,
electric foot scooter or any other vehicle not designed or intended to be
towed to attach the same or such person to such vehicle so operated or
about to be operated, provided any person operating a bicycle solely
by foot or hand power may attach a bicycle trailer or semitrailer
thereto, provided such trailer or semitrailer is designed for such
attachment.
(d) No person operating a bicycle, as defined in section 14-286, as Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 29 of 37
amended by this act, [or] an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter
upon a roadway, path or part of roadway set aside for exclusive use of
bicycles, [or] electric bicycles or electric foot scooters shall carry on
such bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or electric foot scooter a passenger
unless such bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or electric foot scooter is
equipped or designed to carry passengers, provided any person who
has attained the age of eighteen years may carry any child while such
person is operating a bicycle propelled solely by foot or hand power,
provided such child is securely attached to his or her person by means
of a back pack, sling or other similar device. The term "child", as used
in this subsection, means any person who has not attained the age of
four years.
(e) No person operating a bicycle, as defined in section 14-286, as
amended by this act, [or] an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter
shall carry any package, bundle or other article which prevents such
person from using both hands in the operation of such bicycle, [or]
electric bicycle or electric foot scooter. Each person operating such
bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or electric foot scooter shall keep at least
one hand on the handlebars thereof when such bicycle, [or] electric
bicycle or electric foot scooter is in motion.
(f) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 12. Section 14-286c of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
(a) Each person riding a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle [, as defined
in section 14-1] or an electric foot scooter, upon the traveled portion of
a highway and intending to make a left turn after proceeding pursuant
to the provisions of section 14-244 or subsection (b) of this section may,
in lieu of the procedure prescribed by section 14-241, approach as close
as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the highway, proceed
across the intersecting roadway and make such turn as close as Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 30 of 37
practicable to the curb or edge of the highway on the far side of the
intersection, provided such procedure is not prohibited by any
regulation issued by any town, city, borough or the Office of the State
Traffic Administration.
(b) Each person riding a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle [, as defined
in section 14-1,] or an electric foot scooter upon the traveled portion of
a highway and intending to make a right turn may, in lieu of the
procedure prescribed by section 14-244, before turning and while in
motion or if stopped while waiting to turn, signal such turn by
extending [his] such person's right hand and arm horizontally with
forefinger extended.
(c) No person operating a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle [, as
defined in section 14-1,] or an electric foot scooter upon the traveled
portion of a highway and intending to make a right or left turn shall be
required when making a signal of such intention to make such signal
continuously.
Sec. 13. Section 14-286d of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
(a) For the purposes of this section and section 14-286e, "bicycle"
means any vehicle propelled by the person riding the same by foot or
hand power.
(b) No child fifteen years of age or under shall operate a bicycle,
electric bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, [or] skateboard or electric foot
scooter or wear roller skates or in-line skates on the traveled portion of
any highway, at a skateboarding park or any park unless such child is
wearing properly fitted and fastened protective headgear which
conforms to the minimum specifications established by the American
National Standards Institute, the United States Consumer Product
Safety Commission, the American Society for Testing and Materials or Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 31 of 37
the Snell Memorial [Foundation] Foundation's Standard for Protective
Headgear for Use in Bicycling, as amended from time to time. Failure
to comply with this section shall not be a violation or an offense.
Failure to wear protective headgear as required by this subsection shall
not be considered to be contributory negligence on the part of the
parent or the child nor shall such failure be admissible in any civil
action.
(c) A law enforcement officer may issue a verbal warning to the
parent or guardian of a child that such child has failed to comply with
the provisions of subsection (b) of this section.
(d) A person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of renting
bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters shall provide
protective headgear conforming to the minimum specifications
established by the American National Standards Institute, the United
States Consumer Product Safety Commission, the American Society for
Testing and Materials or the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for
Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling, as amended from time to
time, to any person under sixteen years of age who will operate the
bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter if such person does not
have protective headgear in his or her possession. A fee may be
charged for the protective headgear rental. Violation of any of the
provisions of this subsection shall be an infraction.
(e) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall post on the
Department of Consumer Protection's Internet web site information
concerning the dangers of riding bicycles, electric bicycles or electric
foot scooters, skateboarding, roller skating and in-line skating without
protective headgear and promoting the use of protective headgear
while riding bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters,
skateboarding, roller skating and in-line skating.
Sec. 14. Section 14-288 of the general statutes is repealed and the Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 32 of 37
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
(a) Each bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or electric foot scooter operated
upon the public highway, during the times or under the conditions as
provided in subsection (a) of section 14-96a, shall display a lighted
lamp upon the forward part of such bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or
electric foot scooter. Such lamp shall, when lighted, emit a white light
which in clear weather shall be visible at a distance of not less than five
hundred feet in the direction in which such bicycle, [or] electric bicycle
or electric foot scooter is proceeding. Each bicycle, [or] electric bicycle
or electric foot scooter shall also, at all times, be equipped with a
reflector or reflecting tail light lens, which reflector or lens shall be
attached to the rear of such bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or electric foot
scooter in such manner as to reflect rays of light thrown upon the
same, and such reflector or reflecting tail shall be visible at a distance
of not less than six hundred feet from the rear when illuminated by the
head lamps of a motor vehicle. Such bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or
electric foot scooter shall also be equipped with reflective material so
placed and of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both
sides of such bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or electric foot scooter at a
distance of not less than six hundred feet when illuminated by the
head lamps of a motor vehicle. Each bicycle, [or] electric bicycle or
electric foot scooter shall also, at all times, be equipped with a braking
device sufficient to enable the operator thereof to stop within twenty-
five feet on dry, level and clean pavement when moving at a speed of
ten miles per hour. No person shall equip a bicycle, [or] an electric
bicycle or an electric foot scooter with a siren or device which emits a
whistle or use a siren or device which emits a whistle while operating
a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter.
(b) Operation of a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle or an electric foot
scooter in conflict with any provision of this section shall be an
infraction. Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 33 of 37
Sec. 15. Section 14-289 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
Each town, city and borough shall have authority to make any
ordinance not inconsistent with section 14-286, as amended by this act,
or 14-288, as amended by this act, or any regulation of the Office of the
State Traffic Administration issued pursuant to section 14-298, as
amended by this act, respecting governing and controlling the use of
bicycles, [and] electric bicycles and electric foot scooters within such
town, city or borough, with appropriate penalties for violation thereof,
which ordinances may include provisions requiring annual licensing
of bicycles, [or] electric bicycles or electric foot scooters and providing
for registration of any sale of, or change of ownership in, a bicycle, [or]
an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter.
Sec. 16. Subdivision (1) of section 14-297 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(1) The following terms shall be construed as they are defined in
section 14-1, as amended by this act: "Authorized emergency vehicle",
"class 1 electric bicycle", "class 2 electric bicycle", "class 3 electric
bicycle", "driver", "electric bicycle", "electric foot scooter", "head lamp",
"highway", "intersection", "limited access highway", "motor vehicle",
"number plate", "operator", "person", "rotary" or "roundabout",
"shoulder", "stop", "truck" [,] and "vehicle";
Sec. 17. Section 14-298 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
There shall be within the Department of Transportation the Office of
the State Traffic Administration, which shall constitute a successor to
the State Traffic Commission, in accordance with the provisions of
sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39. For the purpose of standardization and Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 34 of 37
uniformity, said office shall adopt and cause to be printed for
publication regulations establishing a uniform system of traffic control
signals, devices, signs and markings consistent with the provisions of
this chapter for use upon the public highways. The Commissioner of
Transportation shall make known to the General Assembly the
availability of such regulations and any requesting member shall be
sent a written copy or electronic storage media of such regulations by
said commissioner. Taking into consideration the public safety and
convenience with respect to the width and character of the highways
and roads affected, the density of traffic thereon and the character of
such traffic, said office shall also adopt regulations, in cooperation and
agreement with local traffic authorities, governing the use of state
highways and roads on state-owned properties, and the operation of
vehicles, including, but not limited to, motor vehicles, [as defined in
section 14-1,] bicycles, as defined in section 14-286, as amended by this
act, [and] electric bicycles and electric foot scooters thereon. A list of
limited-access highways shall be published with such regulations and
said list shall be revised and published once each year. The
Commissioner of Transportation shall make known to the General
Assembly the availability of such regulations and list and any
requesting member shall be sent a written copy or electronic storage
media of such regulations and list by the commissioner. A list of
limited-access highways opened to traffic by the Commissioner of
Transportation in the interim period between publications shall be
maintained in the Office of the State Traffic Administration and such
regulations shall apply to the use of such listed highways. Said office
shall also make regulations, in cooperation and agreement with local
traffic authorities, respecting the use by through truck traffic of streets
and highways within the limits of, and under the jurisdiction of, any
city, town or borough of this state for the protection and safety of the
public. If said office determines that the prohibition of through truck
traffic on any street or highway is necessary because of an immediate
and imminent threat to the public health and safety and the local Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 35 of 37
traffic authority is precluded for any reason from acting on such
prohibition, the office, if it is not otherwise precluded from so acting,
may impose such prohibition. Said office may place and maintain
traffic control signals, signs, markings and other safety devices, which
it deems to be in the interests of public safety, upon such highways as
come within the jurisdiction of said office as set forth in section 14-297,
as amended by this act. The traffic authority of any city, town or
borough may place and maintain traffic control signals, signs,
markings and other safety devices upon the highways under its
jurisdiction, and all such signals, devices, signs and markings shall
conform to the regulations established by said office in accordance
with this chapter, and such traffic authority shall, with respect to traffic
control signals, conform to the provisions of section 14-299.
Sec. 18. Section 14-300i of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
(a) As used in subsection (b) of this section, (1) "vulnerable user"
means: (A) A pedestrian; (B) a highway worker; (C) a person riding or
driving an animal; (D) a person riding a bicycle, [or] an electric bicycle
or an electric foot scooter; (E) a person using a skateboard, roller skates
or in-line skates; (F) a person operating or riding on an agricultural
tractor; (G) a person using a wheelchair or motorized chair; and (H) a
person who is blind and such person's service animal, [and] (2) "public
way" includes any state or other public highway, road, street, avenue,
alley, driveway, parkway or place, under the control of the state or any
political subdivision of the state, dedicated, appropriated or opened to
public travel or other use, (3) "substantial bodily harm" means bodily
injury that involves a temporary but substantial disfigurement, causes
a temporary but substantial loss or impairment of the function of any
bodily part or organ, or causes a fracture of any bodily part, and (4)
"serious physical injury" has the same meaning as provided in section
53a-3. Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 36 of 37
(b) Any person operating a motor vehicle on a public way who fails
to exercise reasonable care and causes substantial bodily harm to, or
the serious physical injury or death, of a vulnerable user of a public
way, provided such vulnerable user has shown reasonable care in such
user's use of the public way, shall be fined not more than one thousand
dollars.
Sec. 19. Section 14-289k of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
[(a) For the purposes of this section, "electric bicycle", "class 1
electric bicycle", "class 2 electric bicycle" and "class 3 electric bicycle"
have the same meanings as provided in section 14-1.]
[(b)] (a) Except as provided in this section, the rider of an electric
bicycle shall be afforded the same rights and privileges and subject to
the same duties as the rider of a bicycle.
[(c)] (b) Except as provided in this section or where prohibited by
local ordinance, an electric bicycle may be ridden where bicycles are
permitted to travel.
[(d)] (c) A class 3 electric bicycle shall not be ridden on a bicycle trail
or path or multiuse trail or path.
[(e)] (d) Except where permitted by local ordinance, a class 1 or class
2 electric bicycle shall not be ridden on a bicycle trail or path or
multiuse trail or path designated for nonmotorized traffic if such trail
or path has a natural surface tread made by clearing and grading the
soil and no surfacing materials have been added.
[(f)] (e) No person under the age of sixteen shall ride a class 3
electric bicycle. Any person under the age of sixteen may sit as a
passenger on a class 3 electric bicycle provided such bicycle is
equipped or designed to carry a passenger. Substitute House Bill No. 7141
Public Act No. 19-162 37 of 37
[(g)] (f) No person shall ride or sit as a passenger on an electric
bicycle unless such person is wearing protective headgear that
conforms to the minimum specifications established for bicycle
helmets by the American National Standards Institute, the United
States Consumer Product Safety Commission, [or] the American
Society for Testing and Materials or the Snell Memorial Foundation's
Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling, as amended
from time to time.
[(h)] (g) The provisions of subsections (b), (c) [,] and (d) [and (e)] of
this section shall not apply to any police officer, firefighter or
emergency medical technician engaged in the performance of the
duties of such officer, firefighter or technician.
Sec. 20. Subdivision (102) of section 12-412 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(102) Sales of and the storage, use or other consumption of bicycle
helmets. For the purposes of this subdivision, "bicycle" means any
vehicle propelled by the person riding the same by foot or hand power
and "helmet" means protective headgear which conforms to the
minimum specifications established by the American National
Standards Institute, the United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission, the American Society for Testing and Materials or the
Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use
in Bicycling, as amended from time to time.