This past year I've been bike commuting to work to get some exercise, save on gas and be a better steward of the environment. My 10-mile ride has me crossing the Gold Star bridge over the Thames River.

The bridge is generally not an issue, but lately I've been sharing the pedestrian walkway with motor scooters. There are signs clearly marked on either side of the bridge "No motor scooters" and "No motor bikes."

I'm normally a "live and let live" sort of guy, but on Monday a motor scooter nearly knocked an older gentleman over, and Tuesday morning one almost took me out as well.

I realize that they are not allowed on the highway, and so I sympathize with their plight: no highway access and no pedestrian walkway for someone who is obviously trying to do the right thing by riding a scooter vs. a larger auto.

Clear-cut ban

That said, Department of Transportation is clear on the issue: "Bicycle and Pedestrian Legislation in Title 23 United States Code .. (h) Use Of Motorized Vehicles. - Motorized vehicles may not be permitted on trails and pedestrian walkways under this section, except for - maintenance purposes; - when snow conditions and state or local regulations permit, snowmobiles; - motorized wheelchairs; - when state or local regulations permit, electric bicycles; -and such other circumstances as the secretary deems appropriate." The Connecticut Department of Transportation is even clearer: "No person shall operate a motor-driven cycle on any sidewalk." A motor scooter is not the same as an electric bicycle ("e-bikes" may be pedaled full-time).

Are there circumstances that have been deemed appropriate by the secretary to allow the motorbikes on the pedestrian walkway?If there are, I'll do my best to make room for my motorized cohorts. Otherwise I'd ask them to find an alternate route. When winter conditions are bad, I bike up through Norwich to circumvent the bridge, perhaps they can, too.

Editor's note: The writer lives in New London.