Connecticut sees spike in bike, e-bike deaths and injuries
Officials say the number of biking and e-biking deaths could reach double digits this year for the first time in years.
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State officials and local police departments say they're seeing an alarming number of deaths and injuries from bikes and e-bikes.
Police say it’s a two-way street for bikes and cars to look out for each other.
"Obey the rules of the road is the biggest thing we can say," said Stamford Police Sgt. Jeffrey Booth.
Police say bikes should ride in the bike lane or right-hand side of the roadway.
"Stop at stop signs. Stop at red lights. You're supposed to signal, using your hand signals," said Booth.
Connecticut’s Department of Transportation says there were six bicycle fatalities through the end of July. There was just one during the same time period last year.
In February, a teen on a bike was hit and killed on Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk near Lowes. In March a bicyclist was hospitalized after a hit-and-run driver struck them in Bridgeport near Laurel and Cleveland avenues. Stamford police say there was a standup scooter fatality in May. And on Saturday, a 13-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run crash while he was on a minibike.
"Too many people are distracted when they get behind the wheel and they won't notice a bicyclist or a pedestrian," said state DOT spokesman Josh Morgan.
The number of biking/e-biking deaths could reach double digits this year for the first time in years.
"It's concerning because it's early August. There's a lot of summer left, a lot of fall. Still a lot of opportunity here in the state for people to be out and about on their bikes," said Morgan.
Stricter laws for bikers begin on Oct. 1. It includes mandatory helmet wearing for children until they are 18 years old. Some e-bikes are expected to need registration and insurance or even a driver's license to operate them.
