Report: Citations Likely for Cyclists Who Were Hit by SUV

The two women who were struck by an SUV while riding their bikes on Stratfield Road Tuesday are likely to be issued a citation, not the driver.

Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara told the Connecticut Post that the cyclists were driving against traffic, which is against the law, when they were struck. While the accident remains under investigation, preliminary findings suggest the SUV was attempting to make a right hand turn from Suburban Avenue onto Stratfield Road when she hit the women, who are in their 20s.

One woman was pinned under the SUV, and firefighters had to use hydraulic tools to lift the vehicle off her. She reportedly suffered a broken hip. The other cyclist fell to the ground away from the vehicle after being hit; she too was transported to the hospital for non life-threatening injuries.

The accident comes during the League of American Bicyclists' National Bike Month, which includes Bike to Work Week May 12-16.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation's Share the Road page offers the following resources for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists:

• Tips for Cyclists
• Tips for Pedestrians
• Tips for Motorists
• Road Safety for Motorists and Equestrians (pdf brochure)
• Bicycle Safety Materials available from CTDOT
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Laws in Connecticut
• Connecticut State Bicycle Map

• "I don’t know who is at fault in this accident, but I have to comment that while there are way too many drivers who speed, use their phones while driving etc, there are just as many bicyclists who ride on the wrong side of the road, blow through intersections without slowing down to look, and generally act like they own the roads ... Fairfield’s roads are very busy and everyone needs to make a commitment to traveling safely and obeying traffic laws regardless of their mode of transportation." — Emily A.
  
  
• "Speeding along the roads in this neighborhood that connect to Stratfield Road (Roselle St., Suburban, etc) has been an increasing problem for quite some time now. I regularly hear screeching rubber, peeling out, and see cars going upwards of 50mph on small streets (riddled with kids) that are zoned for 25 mph. Hate to say it, but speed bumps on some of these small residential streets would go a long way in preventing this sort of behavior. There's no excuse. None. My family (we have a 3 year old girl) lives on that exact corner. Stunning. So angry. I've revised my comment because Emily makes a good point regarding the need for cyclists to obey the rules of the road as well." — Ed Pirnik-Mauriz 
  
  
• "In a week we celebrate biking, its so sad to read a story like this. Let's hope that all recover to good health and that we understand the accident to learn how to avoid it in the future. These should be avoidable." — Andrew Graceffa 
  
  
• "There is always the problem of cars speeding, not looking, etc etc. However, as someone that cycles/commutes around this town, I do see quite alot of other cyclists doing pretty ridiculous stuff ... I think this is an educational issue concerning the rules of the road." — fatmancarruthers 
  
  
• "As a frequent runner on Stratfield Road, I can tell you very few drivers stop at the stop signs coming onto to Stratfield ... People in this town drive with no fear of consequence." — lbh